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iwB ^unlreillli Jmnmrsary 

—OF THE— 

First Reformed Protestant 





DUTCH CHURCH, 

OF SCnE\T-:CTAI)Y, X. ]-., 

JUNE 20th and 21st. 

(f fii kiifljt maaitt iiuifljt. 
1880. 




SsSd 



aUmmiilfc on |uj)lication. 



WILLIAM VAN VKANKEN. BAKENT A. MYNDElfSE. 
JACOB W. CLUTE. OLIN S. Ll^EFMAN. 



Daily and Weekly Union 
ISteiini Printing House, Schenectady. 



Contnits: 



I. THE PROCEEDINGS, June 20th atid 2Ut. 

II. THE SERMON, By the Rev. \Vm. Elliot Griffis, Pastor of the Church. 

III. HISTORY OF THE CHURCH, By Professor Jonathan Pearson, of 
Union College. 



|ri:snii (B^ms of tljf (Lnjurfl), 



fa$tor, 

WILLIAM ELLIOT GRIFFIS. 



Sljr Consistori). 



JACOB V. VROOMAN, WILLIAM VAN VRANKEN, 

CORNELIUS LANSING, JOHN WESTINGHOUSE. 



WILLIAM VAN DERMOOR, WELTON STANFORD, 

JACOB W. CLUTE, JONAS HALLENBECK. 

C/('r/C' — Welton Stanford. 
Treasurer — James H. Barhyte. 



JUDSON S. LANDON, BARENT A. MYNDERSE, 

OLIN S. LUFFMAN, HENRY ROSA. 

Organist — CHARLES E. Kingsbury. 
Sexton — ]oYi'^ B. Stevens. 



^t 6rcaf tfonsistorg. 



JOHN G. VAN VOAST, 

DUNCAN Mcdonald, 

CASPER F. HOAG, 
WILLIAM VAN VRANKEN, 
NICHOLAS YATES, 
FRANCIS J. VAN DE BOGERT, 
GEORGE S. HARDIN, 
ABRAHAM VROOMAN, 
DANIEL VEDDER, 
CHARLES N. YATES, 
WILLIAM B. SCHERMERHORN, 
JACOB N. CLUTE, 
AARON BARRINGER, 
THOMAS H. REEVES, 
JOSEPH Y. VAN DE BOGERT, 
JACOB V. VROOMAN, 

MARTIN Deforest, 

JAMES H. BARHYTE, 
BENJAMIN L. CONDE, 



ANDREW T. VEEDER, 
JOHN W. VEEDER, 
DUNCAN ROBISON, 
JOHN W^ESTINGHOUSE, 
WILLIAM VAN DERMOOR, 
E. NOTT SCHERMERHORN, 
JAMES MILMINE, 
JONAS H. CLUTE, 
RICHARD MARCELLUS, 
HARMON CONSAUL. 
ALBERT VAN VOAST, 
ALEXANDER THOMPSON, 
CHARLES E. KINGSBURY, 
JOHN VAN DERMOOR, 
ALBERT VAN VOAST, Jr. 
CORNELIUS LANSING, 
WELTON STANFORD, 
JONAS HALLENBECK, 
JACOB W. CLUTE. 



Ilcsolutioii of tlje Coiisistoru. 



At a meeting of the Cousistoi-y held April 30th, 1880, the 
Pastor suggested, Elder Van Vranken moved, and Elder Lansing 
seconded the motion, that. 

On June 20th and 21st, the Two Hundredth Anniversary of 
the church should be appropriately celebrated. 

Proposed and carried unanimously. 

The following Committees were then appointed by the Presi- 
dent of the consistory : 



Committees. 
Memorial Exhibition 
Invitation and Prooramme - 
Entertainment of Friends 
Ushers - - - - - 
Decoration _ . - - 
Services in Holland Language 
Press ----- 



Chairmen. 
William Van Vranken. 
Jacob Vrooraan. 
Jacob W. Clute. 
Jonas Hallenbeck. 
Jay Westinghouse. 
Cornelius Lansing. 
Welton Stanford. 



THE PROCEEDINGS. 



Sabbath Morning, June 20th 1880. 

Between the years 1670 and 1680, the First liefornied 
Protestant Dutch Church of Schenectady, was founded in the 
wilderness of "the far West," on the south side of the Mohawk 
River, within the palisaded fort and settlement, founded in 1662. 
by Arendt Van Curler and his fifteen })ioneers and their families. 
The first church was a log structure a few feet square, with 
scarcely enough panes of glass to make more than one large 
modei'n window sash. 

On the 20th of June, 1880, the peo[)le of the same church 
celebrated their bi-centennial, in that gothic stone edifice, built 
in the pointed style, with " storied Avindows richly dight " with 
the heraldry of the Dutch Church, which is the pride of 
Schenectady city, and which for architectural beauty, has no 
superior in the denomination. It is the fifth edifice, the first 
being burned by the Indians in 1690, the second and third in 
succession being outgrown, the fourth being burned by fire. 
The present, springing from the ashes of its predecessor, was 
dedicated August 6th, 1862. Of its beauty, and fitness. Dr. T. 
S. Doolittle has va-itten in that encyclopa?dia of the Reformed 
Church — Corwin's " Manual." 

To celebrate the bi-centennial properly, the pastor had come 
with his sei-mon, the sculptor with his chisel, the musicians M^ith 
song, the ladies with floral device and festal evergreen, and the 
artist with his banner, motto and symbol. Over the "Fore- 
fathers' Door " was cut and gilded the prayer from 1 Kings 8: 57, 
in classic Dutch, " The Lord our God be with us, as He was 
with our fathers." On the " Bride's Door," over its orange 
blossoms were cut and laid in gold, " His banner over me was 
Love." These completed the series of five Scripture passages, 
chiseled over the four doors of the church, the main entrance 
having two. 



THE PROCEEDINGS. 



Inside, evergreens draped every pillar, and hung pendant 
from the lofty peak of the roof to the corbels of the columns. 
On the eastern walls, over the arched windows, were the historic 
mottoes : ' 

I THE CHURCH UNDER THE CROSS. | 



I NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA. | 

and 
I EEN-DRACHT MAAKT MACHT. | 
On the walls next to the tower vista, were on one banner ; 



LEYDEN, 

UTRECHT, 

DORDRECHT, 

ANTWERP, 



surmounted by two satin flags of Holland. On the opposite 
hollow, was an immense shield eight feet square, painted with 
the heraldic devices of a tortoise, on green ; a pelican feeding 
her young with her own blood, on orange ; a lion, on red ; an 
eagle, on white. These symbolized the four nationalities, which 
in succession held the soil — the aboriginal Mohawk ; the Dutch 
settler; the English conqueror; ai d the American possessor. 

The polished marbles of the pulpit, were covered for the day, 
with solid banks of roses and other flowers, the figures : 

being conspicuous in buttercups. On the left of the i)ul|!it was 
a baptismal bowl made of white rose-buds, and dedicated to the 
memory of the 12,000 children baptised in the church, and 
whose names are on the records. To the right, was an hour- 
glass in daisies, emblematic of ancient pulpit horology, and the 
flight of the hours during two centuries, and in memoiy of tlie 
the 18 pastors, and 3,o00 members of the churcli. Over the 
preacher's head in white roses, was the shape of the bell, four 
feet high, which from 1732 to 1848, or 116 years, had summoned 
the peo])]e to church, and which told of the 3,000 marriages 
soh-muized diirintjf two hundred Years. 



THE PROCEEDINGS. 



9 



On iiiMnense pennants, fifteen feet long and eight wide, flank- 
ing the i)ul[)it, were the names of the eighteen pastors of the 
church from 1684 to 1880. 





10 THE PROCEEDINGS. 

Of these, one was killed and burned by the Indians, and six 
died at their post with the harness on. Seven, or probably nine 
churches went out from this, the mother church, and one college 
was born of her. In the centre of the choir, over the pulpit was 
the honored name of (Dirck) Romeyn, 1784-1804, who was the 
seventh pastor of the church, and, with his people, the founder 
of Union College. Born a British subject, a Hollander by blood 
and tongue, an American citizen while pastor of the church, the 
tiao-s of Holland, England and the United States were fitly twined 
about his name. 

On that perfect day of June 20th, 1 880, radiant with Sabbath 
beauty, twelve hundred eager people, nearly all of Dutch des- 
cent and name, filled the church. The College President, Rev. 
Eliphalet Nott Potter ; a former pastor. Rev. W. J. R. Taylor ; 
the ministers of two of the youngest children of the church (the 
Second Reformed church of Schenectady, and the Second Rot- 
terdam), Rev. E. C. Lawrence, and Rev. Ira Van Allen ; 
the oldest minister of the Reformed church, Rev. Staats Van 
Santvoord, and the church's present pastor. Rev. W. E. Griflis, 
filled the pulpit. 

The pews to the right and left of the puljnt were reserved for 
the members of the Great Consistory and visiting clergymen. 
After a chant by the choir, and the usual invocation and saluta- 
tion by the pastor, the hymn, beginning with " Before Jehovah's 
awful throne," was sung to the tune of Old Hundred. 

The eighth chapter of Deuteronomy was read by Rev. Eliph- 
alet Nott Potter, D. D., President of Union College. Prayer 
was offered by the Rev. W. J. R. Taylor, D. D., pastor of the Clin- 
ton Avenue Reformed church, of Newark, N. J., and former 
minister of this church from 1849 to 1853. 

The Rev. E. C. Lawrence then read the following commemo- 
rative hymn written for the occasion, by the Rev. Charles S. 
Vedder,' D. D., pastor of the Church of the Hugenots, Charles- 
ton, S. C, and a former member of the church and consistory. 
Three stanzas were sung by the congi-egation standing, to the 
tune of " Auld Lang Syne." 



THE PROCEEDINGS. n 



COMMEMORATIVE HYMN. 



BY A SON OF THE CHURCH. 

Our eyes, O Lord, behold the light our fathers longed to see. 
When, undisturbed by foes or fear, their hearts might worship Thee : 
They found the pleasant land we tread a rude and forest waste, 
They planted here the sacred seed whose precious fruit we taste. 

They came from homes as dear as ours beyond the swelling tide. 
And thought to make as dear homes here by this fair river side. 
They bought, with native, honest faith, the fertile soil we own. 
And wrought no deed of wrong for which their children must atone. 

Thou calledst them then, O Lord, to stand, from friend and help afar 
The lonely, feeble frontier-post of home and foreign war. 
Each house became a fortress strong, each house inured to strife. 
And every hand was taught to shield its dearest ones with life. 

Near where we bow, an humble shrine arose in love to Thee, 
Where honest hearts kept firm the faith they saved beyond the sea. 
But even its sacred walls were pierced, that through each opened seam 
Bright weapons thrust, might flash reply to savage shot and scream. 

Around the spot where now in peace our christian altars rise, 
And happy homes look up and smile beneath these tranquil skies. 
The war-whoop rang, one winter night, two centuries ago. 
And lund flame and deadly blade flashed in a Stream of woe. 

Thy sun, O Lord that fatal eye, unwarningly went down. 

It rose to light a blackened waste, where stood a living town. 

It shone on slaughter's ruthless stroke, in midnight darkness sent. 

On pastor, people, church and homes in one red burial blent. 

But they, O Lord, whom thou didst save to plant thy standard here, 
Their faith to try, and steadfastness ; their love and holy fear. 
No other fear could daunt nor chill — no other love betray, 
They built again the church and homes whose heirs we are to-day. 

And still again, as needs increase, and one in flame ascends. 
Fair structures rise, till now the fifth our father's faith defends, 
Where faithful men, a lengthening line, have heralded Thy love, 
And countless trustful, happy hearts have tasted joys above. 

Our father's God, be thine the praise their grateful children bring, 
Be ours the strong and living faith whose victories we sing ; 
And when two hundred years again have passed their solemn way. 
May worthier lips sing worthier praise than ours can sing to day. 



12 THE PROCEEDINGS. 

A thank-offering was then presented by the people, in aid of 
Foreign Missions ; those who preferred contributing towards 
the erection of a memorial tablet, to be set in the niche of the 
eastern wall of the church edifice. 

The choir then sang the stirring anthem from Haydn's 
Oratorio of the Messiah : 

"Now elevate the sign of Judah." 

The Historical discourse by the pastor, from 1 Kings, 8:57, 
the same text as that carved over the Forefathers' Door, lasted 
one hour and a half. The close and eager attention of the 
audience, proved that it was not one minute too long. 

Prayer was then offered by the Ilev. Cornelius Van Santvoord, 
D.D., of Kingston, N. Y., a lineal descendant of the fifth min- 
ister of the church, Rev. Cornelius Van Santvoord, whose pas- 
torate in Schenectady was from 1740 to 1752. 

Recognizing with warm affection the Scotch element within 
the blood and membership of the Dutch church, past and 
present, the 914th hymn — a paraphrase of the 90th Psalm, was 
sung to the tune of Dundee. 

The Rev. Ira Van Allen, pa.stor of the Second Reformed 
Church of Rotterdam, pronounced the benediction. 

The audience slowly, and with apparent reluctance, gradually 
dispersed. Friends, visitors and citizens joyfully lingered for 
congratulation, for grateful memories sake, and for the enjoy- 
ment of the imperishable historical associations of the edifice 
and occasion. 

Thk Afternoon Services. 

According to the programme issued. Divine services in the 
Low Dutch language, commemorative of, and similar to those 
used in the first edifice of the Dutch church, in the village of 
Schenectady, A. D. 1680, were held in the church at four o'clock. 
The threatejiing rain did not fall, and the main auditorium of 
the church, including aisles, and gallery, with the consistory 
room, were filled with an audience estimated at fifteen hundred 
persons. 

According to the old custom, the ministers, attired in gowns, 
walked from the pastor's house to the church, ascending the 
pulpit after silent prayer. The Voor-lezer, (fore-reader) occu- 
j)ied the reading desk in front of the i)ulpit, and the Voor-zanger 
(precentor) and his Koor-helpers, (choir-singers) occupied front 



THE PKOCEEDIXGS. 13 

seats. The Magistrates of the city, (Mayor, Common Council, 
Supervisors etc.,) filled the resei'ved seats near the pulpit. The 
Great Consistory had the pews to the right and left of the 
minister reserved for them. Of the audience, the males sat on 
the right, or eastern half of the church, and the females, on the 
left, or western half. According to ancient local custom, all 
bonnets, as well as hats were removed. The services, as meas- 
ured by the hour-glass, were exactly one hour long. The 
programme printed in Dutch was as follows : 

^onDag Ires Namil>lraig0, 

2Jie«; nnv. 

in be - 

9ictierlaiibfd)c ^nnl, 

ter krinnertng tan en geli)f aan bic in gebrni! in l}et eerfte Slerfgebouii) 

»an be 

■Jlcbcr iX^uitff^e ©crcformcct^c ®cmcentc, 

»an t)et borp • 

Schenectada, 1680, A. D. 



1 . 33oorgebeb en 3egett»enfd) 

2. 2c\en ber Sien ©eboben boor ben 

53oorIe:;er Dubeiling '3)aniet 33ebber 

3. @e',ang — „@emeenicbap ber ^ei(igen." (i^e^ongen boor ben 
SSorjanger en S^cor^elpenS 

4. (Sebeb ©omine 33anbent»art 

5. Se^en ber 2;itua(f 2lrtifelen be8 ge- 

IriofS Duberling (Eorneliug ?anfing 

6. IDanf offer ter ^ulpe t>an ^ope i^^emtnaire, ^oUanb, Wid)igan. 

7. ^e.^en ber I^eilige 3d)rift, 90. "iPfalm 5)omine 3- i'anfing 

8. ^rebiktie. .Jej-t ^er 6:16 'Domine ^^anberirart 

.."Soo fet)t be ^cere; otaet op be n^egen enbe [iet toe, enbe 
ipvagct na be oube paben, n^aer bod) be goebe ireg jt), enbe 
ipanbelt baer in, foo fu(t gt) rufte finben »co^ uwe 3ie[c." 

9. ®ebeb . 2)oniine S3anbern.''art 

1<J- Begeip^^aaf 'Domine S. 3)an (Santsoorb 



14 THE PROCEEDINGS. 



The actual order of exercises, was the following : 

Invocation, and Salutation, by the Rev, Herman Vanderwart, 
pastor of the Reformed church of Scotia N. Y. 

The Voorlezer, Elder Daniel Vedder, of the Great Consistory, 
then read the Ten Commandments. 

A hymn, " The Communion of Saints," was then sung by the 
Voorzanger, and his assistants, a choir of five male voices. The 
singers were, Henry Ramsey, Daniel Vedder, Cornelius Lansing, 
Christian Tate and Charles W. Parks. 

The "Twelve Articles of the Christian Faith," as they are 
called in the Holland tongue, (The Apostles' Creed) were then 
read by Elder Cornelius Lanshig. 

After a statement in English, concerning the origin of the 
settlement, and college at Holland, Mic^iigan, a thank-offering 
in aid of Hope College, was made by the people. 

The Ninetieth Psalm was read by the Rev. A. G. Lansing, of 
New Salem, N. Y. 

The sermon was })reached by the Rev. Herman Yaiulerwart. 
The text was from Jeremiah, 6:16. "Thus saith the Lord, 
stand ye in the way and see, and ask for the old paths, where is 
the good way, and walk tlierein, and ye shall find rest for 
your souls." 

So clearly enunciated, so impressively delivered, and so mani- 
festly eloquent was this sermon, that the whole vast assem- 
blage seemed one earnest listener. There were probably as 
many as one hundred in the audience, mostly elderly people, 
who understood most of the once familiar language of the church 
and city. 

The preacher offered prayer in his native Holland speech. 

The pastor, the Rev. W. E. Griffis, made an address in En- 
glish, recalling the circumstances attending the first settlement 
of the city of Schenectady in 1662, by Arendt Yan Curler and 
his fifteen fellow-pioneers with their families. He showed how 
they bought their lands and lived at peace with the Indians. 
After stating that the bones of the first two generations of the 
settlers, including those of the victims of the massacre of Febru- 
ary 8th, 1690, lay unmarked and almost unknown under the cob- 
ble stones of the paveijient, at the end of Church on State street, 
formerly called the " Street of the Martyrs," he pleaded that a 



THE PROCEEDINGS. 



15 



monumental stone, or other memorial should be erected by the 
citizens of Schenectady to mark the spot and keep alive the mem- 
ory of the virtues of the founders of the city. 

The benediction was then pronounced by the Rev. Staats 
Van Santvoord, the oldest minister of the reformed church, and 
after our honored and venerable citizen, Gen. William K. Ful- 
ler, of Schenectady, the oldest living graduate of Union College. 



Evening Session. 




The Baccalaureate Sermon before the graduating class of 
Union College was delivered by the Rev.W. J. R. Taylor D.D., 
after an historical address by President Potter, in which he gave 
a graceful and forcible account of the connection between Union 
College and the Reformed Dutch church of Schenectady. It 
was highly appropriate that the Baccalaureate and Commence- 
ment exercises of the college should blend with those of the bi- 
centennial anniversarv of the church, as Union College was her 
child. 

Union College grew out of the "Schenectady Academy," 
which was organized and built by the people of the Dutch church 
in Schenectady in 1784, at the corner of Union and Ferry streets, 
After ten years of prosperous life, and almost wholly through 
the influence of Dr. Romeyn and the people of the Dutch church 
in Schenectady, the academy secured a collegiate charter. 
The church then gave in trust to the Trustees of Union College, 
the building and endowments' amounting to over thirty thous- 
and dollars. The first commencement in 1797, the Jubilee Ser- 



16 THE PROCEEDINGS. 



vices of 1845, and tlie 8oth commencement exercises in 1880, 
were held in the Dutch church. For many years in the early 
history of the college the students attended the Dutch church 
services in a body. Union College has educated about one hun- 
dred and thirty ministers of the Reformed church in America. 

The sermon by Dr. Taylor, a descendent of Dr. Dirck Ro- 
meyn, and a former pastor of the church, preached fi'om the 
text 1 Chronicles, 12:32. 

"And of the children of Issachar which toere men that had un- 
derstanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do ; the 
heads of them were two hundred ; and all their bretlu'en were at 
their commandment." 

Of this able, pertinent and scholarly discourse, the editor of 
the Schenectady Evening Star remarks : 

" It showed what the times required in the young men about 
to go forth from the institution to adapt them to Avield and in- 
fluence the world. What hostile forces are at work to under- 
mine the foundations of society. What weapons are needed to 
repel and counteract them ; and how young men may be fully 
furnished to meet the demands of their age, and come off victo- 
rious in the contests surely to be waged with stern antagonists of 
whatever type. The discourse was ingenious in its conduct, sage 
in its counsels, philosophical in its discriminations and reason- 
ings, and pervaded by a lofty, ethical and religious tone ; all 
conveyed with great earnestness and force of utterance, which 
could hardly fail of leaving salutary impressions upon those in 
whose sjjccial behalf the address was given." 

A hynm, and the benediction by Rev. Staats Van Santvoord, 
I). D., closed the interesting services. 

Monday, June 21st. 

According to the programmes distributed some days before, 
and sent out to friends, who visited the city for the i)uri)ose of 
celebrating with tlu- j.eople of the church their bi-centcnnial. 
there was held a 

.^IKMOKIAL EXimUTIOX. 
or Historic. Devotional Literarv, Ecclesiastical and Kcligious 

Relics of the Fast, 
jrom Monday, June 2ist, at 12 p. m., to Wednesday, 6 p. m. 

KKKKTO all! 

Friends, Citizens and Strangers Cordially Invite<l. 



THE PROCEEDINGS. 17 

The rare and rich collection of antiquities, such as few Ameri- 
can homes can show, was arranged in five sections, in which the 
articles were grouped around the pictures of the five church 
edifices, with their respective dates, 1683-1701 ; 1702-1734 ; 
1734-1814; 1814-1861; 1862-1880. Below is only the barest 
sketch of what well deserA^es a volume by itself. In the angle 
between the Banker screen and the tower room door was an oil 
painting of the Burning of Schenectady and the Massacre of 
February 8th, 1690, by Mr. S. H. Sexton, now owned by Hon. 
A. A. Yates. The baleful scene represented is Church street, 
during the height of the bloody carnival. The house defended 
by Adam Vrooman, the parsonage of Domine Tassemaker, and 
the little church at the end of the street, near the palisades, are 
shown in the spirited painting. In this section were gathered 
pieces cut, sawed, or made into walking canes from the old pali- 
sades ; a brick from one of the first dwellings with " 1666 " indented 
upon it ; Indian snow-shoes, such as those on which the French 
and their allies travelled from Canada to the massacre ; a Mo- 
hawk spear with the totem, or crest, of a tortoise embroidered 
on its pennant ; wood from the parsonage built in 1691 ; a deed 
of Van Slyke island in the river opposite Schenectady, signed 
by Governor Petrus Stuyvesant ; skull of one of the victims of 
1 690, cloven by a tomahawk ; various Indian relics ; and church 
documents dated prior to 1690, and many antiquities from 
Holland. 

In the second section was a picture wrought in silk embroid- 
ery, and supposed to represent the second edifice of the church, 
which, like the first, stood on Martyr's (State) street, at the end 
of Church, showing the adjoining burying ground, and the 
streamlet long since filled up, which ran through the original 
settlement. Among the attractions of this group was a wood- 
cut portrait of Domine Bernardus Freeman, second pastor of 
the church; numerous Dutch Bibles dated from 1637 to 1741 
substantially bound in leather and brass for family use, or faced 
with silver chains for women to carry to church ; household linen 
and goods woven and spun by the Dutch ladies of nigh two cen. 
turies ago ; New Year's cake-moulds, silver tankards, spoons and 
cups of the time of King William III; the church records of 
Marriage and Baptism from 1691 to 1734, and various Indian 
relics. 

3 



18 THE PROCEEDINGS. 

Section third, comprising the period between 1734 and 1814, 
was the richest and most interesting of all. There was a paint- 
ing by Giles F. Yates, of the old stone edifice built in 1734, with 
its clock-tower and belfry ; the great royal charter granted by 
King George II, of England, with its huge wax seal resembling 
a buckwheat cake ; an oil painting of Domine Reinhart Erich- 
zon, then pastor ; the church door and key, the latter without 
a barrel, and forged on a blacksmith's anvil ; immerous portraits 
and paintings of the period, and a large case of silver, revolu- 
tionary flags, documents and relics, loaned by the Sanders fam- 
ily of Scotia ; tha tablet stone of the Schenectady Academy ; 
many church books and papers of great interest, and a piece of 
the old church bell cast in Holland ; and a remarkably varied and 
curious array of table silver, warming-pans, hour-glasses, door- 
knockers, porcelain, faience, old blue ware, china, carding forms, 
Continental money, church scrijit, watches, jewelry, and numer- 
ous articles of household and personal adornment, most of them 
belonging to former ministers and i)eo])le of the church. 

In section fourth was a painting of the fourth chui-ch edifice, 
built of brick, and surrounded by fine trees ; portraits of the pas- 
tors who ofticiated therein, and of the Rev. Andrew Yates, Rev. 
Abram J. Swits, and Tayler Lewis ; the old pulpit seat saved 
from the tire of 1861 by John McXee, the faithful sexton ; the 
architect's designs ; candle-sticks and lamps from the old con- 
sistory room, and many other curious and eloquent tokens of the 
past. 

In section fifth everything was so new that in the presence of 
such grand and ancient witnesses of the jiast in other parts of 
the room, no description need be given. 

During the four days of the exhibition there were thousands 
of gratified and instructed visitors, some of whom came again 
and again expressing delight and wonder at the richness of the 
antiquities thus set forth in worthy array to the public for the 
first time. 

3I< >M ) A Y ^\l"rKHN( >ON,. 

At 4 p. m,, agreeably to the invitation given from the i)ulpit 
the day before, a i)arty of about one hundred gathered intV)rm- 
ally, with the i)astor of the church acting as guide, to study tlie 
artistic beauties of the church edifice, the masterpiece of the archi- 
tect, Edward Tiu-kiTuiaii Potter. 



THE PROCEEDINGS. 19 

The symbolism of the following portions of the edifice was 
pointed out and explained. A fuller account of them is given 
in Prof. Pearson's History of the Church, chapter xii. 

1. The capitals of the Banker screen, the cycle of the twelve 
months of the yeai-, and the love, courtship, union and paternal 
cares of the birds expressing the relations of mother and son — 
the screen having been given by Mr. Gershom Banker, in honor 
of his mother. 

2. The situation of the organ, and the carvings of Jubal's or- 
gan and pipe of Pan, wreathed in ivy, on the corbels at the base 
of the supports. 

3. The pulpit, made of marbles cased in walnut, with the 
three orders of stone ; the foundation, resembling the yellow 
earth; the building stone, "polished after the similitude of a 
palace ;" the gem, or crowning stone. The colors of these pol- 
ished marbles are respectively variegated yellow, veined green, 
and mottled dark red. They were imported from France and 
were cut from the Jura Alps. 

4. The monograms, inscriptions and carving on the pulpit 
shaftlets, scripture foliage, the olive and palm, with the text in 
raised letters, '• We preach Christ crucified." 

5. The four triplet windows, and the stained glass dight with 
the wheat and grapes — the " corn and wine " of the promised land. 

The north rose window dight with the Faith, Hoj)e and Char- 
ity ; the south rose window dight with the coat of arms of the 
House of Orange ; the two windows of the consistory room dight 
with the arms of the Clute and Cuyler families, and the four 
tower windows containing views of four of the edifices, were 
noticed in detail. , 

6. The carved corbels from which spring the arched ribs of 
the roof, containing on their south faces forms of foliage, such 
as the rose, oak, ivy, clover, paas-flower (hepatica), pfingster, 
and ideal forms. On the north faces of the corbels are carved 
the initials of the builders and finishers of the church enifice, 
viz. : architect, master stone-cutter, master mason, master carpen- 
ter and master painter. 

7. The symbolism of the tem})orary mottoes, designs and flo- 
ral decorations used in celebrating the bi-centeniiial aniversary. 

8. The inscriptions and carving over the four doors of tlie edi- 
fice : Forefathers' Door, facing the east toward Holland, contains 
a text in gold, from the Dutch Bible, of which the English is. 



20 THE PROCEEDINGS. 

"The Lord our God be with iis, as He was with our fathers." 
The Door of the Congregation, or main entrance, having four 
arches, bears the welcome, " Enter into His courts with thanks- 
giving, and into his gates with praise." The capitals of the 
porch wrought from Nova Scotia sandstone, resting on columns 
of polished red granite, are carved with the products of the Mo- 
hawk valley, hops and Indian corn ; wheat, rye, oats, and barley ; 
broom corn ; acorns and cone-bearing brandies of the oak and 
pine. 

In the peak above the doorway are carved in monogram 
the letters I. R. D. C, and on opposite sides A. D. 1862, 
wreatlied in folliage. 

I RDC 




18/ \62 

Over the Bride's Door, facing the west, is cut and gilded the 
text " His banner over me was love," while two white shaftlets 
of Carrara marble uphold capitals wreathed with sprays of or- 
ange blossoms and leaves. The workmanship of the arch of 
this door is probably unique in America. 

Under the western gate, through which the Bride's Door is 
approached, is a stone, the history of which is chiseled deep 
upon it : 



DOOR SILL OF 3d CHURCH EDIFICE, 

1734_1814. 



The old threshold still in a place of honor, connects the past 
with the present, and like a scarred veteran still holds the hon- 
orable mark of service — the bolt hole. 

The doorway of the Consistory Room, which is used also for 
devotional meetings, has this text cut on the imposts of its arch, 
"To show forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and Thy 
faithfulness every night." 

Set into a niche in the rear wall of the church is tlie tablet 
stone of the fourth edifice, built in 1S12 and burned down in 
1861. It is of wliite marble, and aitproj.riately inscribed. 



THE PROCEEDINGS. 21 

After looking at the remains of the, foundation wall of the 
old Consistory Room of 1814-1861, and at the barn upon the 
Benjamin 'property in which the bodies of the victims of the 
Beukendal massacre, July 18, 1748, were laid for identification, 
the party dismissed. They had obeyed the spirit of the 48th 
Psalm : " Walk about Zion, and go round about her ; tell the 
towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her pala- 
ces, that ye may tell it to the generation following." 

The promise, amid the inspiration of the hour came with new 
force and beauty : 

" For this God is our God for ever and ever : 
He will be our guide even unto death." 

' Monday Evening. 

The seventh page of the Programme of the bi-centennial exer- 
cises read as follows : 



MONDAY "EVENING7] > 



June 2ist, i88o, 
7 o'clock. 

WE •'VMmM 

Of Former Pastors and Ministers 

who have held membership in the church, with members 
of the church and congregation. 

1. Music — Anthems and Hymns. 

2. Addresses by the Pastors. 

3. Reading of letters of congratulation from absent mem- 
bers, friends, and ministers, who have gone out from the 
church. 

The living ex-pastors of this church are the Rev. Julius Seelye, D. D. 
(1845-1858), now President of Amherst College ; the Rev. W. J. R. Taylor, 
D. D., (1849-1853), now pastor of the Clinton Avenue Reformed Church, 
Newark, N. J., the Rev. Denis Wortman, D. D., (1865-1870), Pastor of the 
Reformed Church of Fort Plain, N. V. ; an I the Re/. Ash'oel G. Vermilye, 
D. D., now in Europe. 



22 THE PROCEEDINGS. 



In response to the above, the church was comfortahly filled 
with adults, most of whom were children wlien Dr. Taylor was 
their pastor. The pulpit was occupied by Dr. Taylor, Dr. Wort- 
man, the pastor, and the Rev. Horace Stanton, pastor of the 
Clinton Square Presbyterian church, An)any, N. Y.. who re] .re- 
sented the " alumni " ministers of the church. 

After brief devotional exercises, Dr. Wortman was introduced, 
and read a neat, witty, lively, and at times pathetic series of 
reminiscences that caused every one to listen with delighted at- 
tention. He reviewed the time of his own pastorate and the 
changes since, congratulated the church and pastor on the pres- 
ent and future, described his predecessors, showing that this 
church during the present century had been served mainly by 
young men, the average age of the pastors being that of 36 
years. He very wittily, and at the same time pointedly, advised 
the church to secure a fira-proof safe or repository for the valu- 
able papers and records, and advised the election of a permanent 
curator. He then graphically reviewed the course of the world's 
history during the life of the church, and after a vivid descrip- 
tion of the local life of two centuries ago, closed with tlu- old 
Dutch New Year's salute, which in English is : 

"I Wish you a Ha})py New Year — 

Long may you live, 

Much may you give, 

Happy may you die, 

And inherit the kingdom of Ilcavcii by and bye!" 

Dr. Wortman's address was afterwards reprinted in the Sche- 
nectady Daily Union, of July 10. 

After a spirited anthem by the choir, Dr. Taylor followed in 
a congratulatory address, in which the floral emblems, the bell. 
baptismal bowl, hour-glass and chanticleer, the mottoes and 
symbols were all touchingly alluded to in suggestive phrase. 

He dwelt upon the lessons of the occasion, and exhorted the 
people to improve the rich legacy of tlie j.ast, and consecrate 
themselves more earnestly to the work of the tut inc. 

Three stanzas of the commemoration hynni wci-e sung, and 
then followed the reading of letters of love an<l coiigi atulation 
from the Rev. Julius E. Seelye, D. D.. Trcsi-lent of .\ndierst 
Colleo-e, Rev. Ashbel C. A'einiilve. 1). D.. foiinei' pastors: Re\-. 



THE PROCEEDINGS. 23 

Charles S. Vedder, D. D., of Charlston, S. C. ; Rev. T. W. 
Chambers, D. D., one of the pastors of the Collegiate church of 
New York city ; Rev. Prof. R. B. Welch, D. D., of Auburn 
Theological Seminary ; Rev. T. Hamlin, of Troy, and Rev. A. 
W. Raymond, of Paterson, N. J. The letters of the ex-pastors 
are given belo^^^ 

A:\iHERST College, Amherst, Mass., June 10, 1880. 
Rev. W. E. Griffis : — 

Dear Brotlivr^ I have delayed ni}' reply to your very attractive 
invitation, in the hope that I might see some way open to accept 
it. I greatly regret to find this impossible. The anniversary to 
which you invite me occurs the week before our commencement, 
and my college duties will compel my presence here at that 
time. But I shall be with you in heart, and my thanksgivings 
and prayers shall join with yours in grateful recognition of the 
past, and in earnest supplications for the future. 

All my memories of that dear old church are tender and pre- 
cious. Though I was the first of her Dominies who was not 
born a Dutchman, and though some people wondered how such 
a novus humo, as I was called, could find a fit home in so vener- 
able a household as the First Reformed Protestant Dutch church 
of Schenectady, no one of her children could have had a more 
cordial welcome than I, and if the Dutch blood had flowed in 
my veins for the two hundi-ed years in which I once heard our 
most worthy and excellent Judge Sanders, of Scotia, declare, on 
the floor of General Synod, it had flowed through his, I do not 
see how it could have given me any more intimate relations with 
the elders, deacons and members of that church, than it was my 
high privilege to enjoy. It was in the first year of my ministry 
there that the General Synod referied to the Classes, who re- 
fewed to the Consistories the question whether the word Dutch 
should be omitted from the name and title of the church, and 
though I was only ecclesiastically a Dutchman, I confess it gave 
me a pleasure when our Consistory voted with only one dissent- 
ing voice to retain the historical name, and had I been a mem- 
ber of the church when, fifteen years later, the same proposition 
was renewed and carried, I am not sure but that I should still 
have preferred the old name to the new. 

As I think of the house in which I preached — lacking, in- 
deed, the grace and beauty of the present edifice, but with a solid 



24 THE PROCEEDIXGS. 



uuobtrusiveness and dignity worthy of the people who built and 
worshipped in it — as I think of those people, loving, trusting 
and devout, earnest and iirm in their convictions, not easily 
moved but deeply moved when moved at all — as I think of the 
children — where shall I find their like ? — who so often ran to 
meet me in the street, now no longer children, but greeting me 
as I return, with children of their own. As I look over the list 
of one hundred and forty one, who were added to the church 
during the five and a quarter years of my ministry there, and of 
the thirty-eight members of the church who, during that time, 
left the ministrations of the earthly sanctuary for the worship 
of the temple not made with hands ; as I think of those who 
since have gone, and of those who have come until now, I should 
find almost a congregation of strangers, Avhere tM'enty-two years 
ago every face was so familiar, — many words both sad and joy- 
ous come to my lips which I would like to utter to the congre- 
gation which will gather on the 21st inst., to rehearse these and 
other memories of the past. 

I congratulate the church on its long history, and on its pros- 
pects for the future — brighter, I verily believe, at the present 
time than ever before. May the Lord of all grace give to the 
present pastor. His choicest benediction, and ever lead His peo- 
ple there from grace to grace, till He brings us all into glory ! 
Very truly yours, 

JULIUS H. SEELYE. 

LoNPo:!!, May 24th, 1880. 
My Dear Brother (^rlffis: — On reaching London, day before 
yestei-day, I found there your very kind letter of May 3, inviting 
me to the 200th anniversary of the old Dutch church, at Sche- 
nectady. But in accordance with plans proposed before I left 
liome, having accomplished the work for which I went to Ant- 
werp, I have now just conmienced, with my family, a more ex- 
tended tour through Europe, to last (Providence permitting), 
during another year. Of course, the venerable occasion with its 
reunions and reminiscences, must go by without me. I can only 
send my most cordial wislies for the success of the anniversary 
itself, of your own ministry as my successor in the pastorate, 
and a hearty " Ood nave and keep you " for the church and its 
people — among whom, whatever changes death and time may have 
worked, I still hold many esteemed friends. Men die, institutions 



THE PROCEEDINGS. 25 

live. A congregation is not the same for any ten years together. 
There are changes going on, and which ought to go on, continn- 
ally; and no, two pastors do precisely the same work, have the 
same difficulties to meet, or iind and leave a church each just 
where his predecessor did. Your present 200th anniversary will 
be a record of immense changes. Nevertheless the institution 
lives ; these changes are themselves a part of its life ; and if it 
subserve the purposes for which it was intended, there is no 
nobler institution on earth, nor one so worthy to live and con- 
tinue as a church. have been living during the past year 
among churches old, splendid in architecture, but devoted to 
bigotry, and which do not subserve the moral improvement of 
men. Whilst the old church at Schenectady has age, can cele- 
brate an unusual age, and has for its worship a building of choice 
architecture, may it always have in view the true purpose of a 
church, and enter upon a new life continually, constantly im- 
proving the past. May this celebration be to you and yours, 
pastor and people, only a happy mile-stone in the march of your 
unity, and progress, and prosperity. Grace, mercy and peace 
be abundantly multiplied unto you all. 

Trulv and fraternally yours, 

A. G. VERMILYE. 

The Rev. Horace C. Stanton, one of the many members of 
the church who have entered the ministry, made an address, de- 
picting in lively phrase his personal experiences of the fire of 
August 6, 1861, which destroyed alike his father's home and the 
church ; and in \a^11 chosen words portraying the past, improv- 
ing the lessons of the hour, he pointed out the auguries of the 
future. 

The pastor of the church then called on the oity ministers for 
their blessing upon the church and people. In response, the 
Rev. Horace G. Day, the oldest city pastor, spoke eloquently in 
unison with the spirit of the hour, and with fervant, christian 
charity, scanned the lessons of the past, and on behalf of the 
Baptists exhorted the church to hold firmly the common faith of 
Christians. 

The Rev. T. G. Darling, D. D., of the Presbyterian church, 

spoke gratefully of the help rendered the people of his church 

during^ the straits of their early history, and expressed the hope, 

after eloquently surveying the past, that the two churches might 

ever be one in faith and mutual love. 

4 



26 THE PROCEEDINGS. 

The Rev. E. C. Lawrence, pastor of the Second Reformed 
church of Schenectady, which was organized under the ministry 
of Dr. W. J. R. Taylor, in 1841, then ascended the pulpit. 
After a cordial greeting and a few earnest words, Mr. LaAvrence 
read the following letter : 

Ti) THE First Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of 
Schenectady, New York. 

The second church of Schenectady presents her warmest 
greetings to her venerable mother on this glad and festal occa- 
sion, congratulates her upon the success and prosperity which 
have marked her progress during the last two centuries and glo- 
ries in her noble history, the long line of her able, eloquent and 
devoted pastors, in her stalwart defenders of the true faith once 
delivered to the saints, and in the large-hearted and laud- 
able munificence which reared this beautiful building. 

Long may our beloved mother live, and every year renew lier 
youth and beauty ! Long may her spiritual field, like this 
rich old Mohawk valley, be fat, and fertile, and flourishing, and 
well cultivated ! Let it indeed be the very garden of the Lord ! 
Let joy and gladness be found therein, thanksgiving and the 
voice of melody ! Most honored and happy mother, thy loyal 
and loving daughter invokes upon thee the choicest of Heaven's 
blessings and the continual favor of Almighty God who crown- 
eth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies. With proud 
and grateful heart thy daughter salutes thee by the hand of 

Her pastor, 

June 21, 1880. E. C. LAWRENCE. 

The pastors of tlie Episcopal, ]\Iethodist and Congregational 
churches not being present on account of other engagements, 
could not or did not respond. The ha})])y exercises were brought 
to a close by singing the hymn, 

" Lord, at this closing hour, 
Establish every heart," 

to the ai)})ropriate tune of Denis, the benediction being ])ro- 
nounced by Dr. Taylor. The audience and s])eakers then ad- 
journed to the Consistoi-y Room, where in informal reunion, and 
the interchange of greetings and memories, the time was sj^ent 
until 10:80 p. m. The precious collection was then left for the 
night in charge of two young men. 

" Except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen waketh bnt in vain." ■ 



THE PROCEEDINGS. 27 

On Wednesday, June 23d, the 8oth commencement exercises 
of Union College, "the child of the Dutch church in Schenec- 
tady," were held in the church, the first being celebrated in the 
old 3rd edifice in 1797. In the addresses of President Potter, 
Bishop Doane, and Hon. Chauncey M. Depew, of the Board of 
Regents of the State of New York, frequent and emphatic refer- 
ence was made to the connection of the church and college. In 
addition to the other decorations, there was placed in front of 
the rear gallery a conspicuous welcome to the Hon. John 
Welsh, who delivered the Chancellor's oration, and with his 
party of fellow visitors represented the city of Brotherly Love. 



Schenectady WELCOME Philadelphia 
1662 1880 



The names to the two cities stood significantly together. 
Their founders, Arendt Van Curler and William Penn, both 
bought their lands from the Indians, lived at peace Avith them, 
and for the foundations of the Empire and Keystone states pro- 
fessed and practiced principles that have made these the lead- 
ing States of the American Union. 



On Thursday evening, June 25th, the 63d anniversaiy of the 
Sunday School was celebrated in the church. It 1817 the first 
Sunday School in Schenectady was organized by the Dutch and 
Presbyterian people in union. Previous to this members of 
the Dutch church had engaged in mission work in the eastern 
part of the city among the inhabitants of Albany hill. 

The exercises consisted of singing by the? school, " the class 
of 1817 " being arrayed in antique dress of the pupils of the early 
part of this century, and the presentation of flowers, with recita- 
tion of scripture verses and mottoes. The floral offeidngs were 
formed into the date 



1 680 



After an address by the pastor, distribution was made of the 
abundant baskets, wreaths and boquets of flowers to some of 
those who had taken part in the preparations for the exercises of 
the week. As an expression of the gratitude and happiness felt 
by all the people, we here append the names of some of the com- 
mittees and workers, who contributed toward making the entei-- 
prise with all its exei'cises a unity of success. 



28 



THE PROCEEDINGS. 



COMIIITTKE ON INVITATION, TKOfiRAMME AND ARRANGEMENTS. 

Jacob V. Vrooman, Jacob W. Clute, W. E. Griffis^ 



COMMITTEE ON DECORATION. 



Chauncey Yates, Mrs. 

Lyman W. Clute, Mrs. 

Olin S. Luffman, Miss 

William Van Epps, Mrs. 

Fred. C. Jacobs, Mrs. 

William Schermerhorn, Mrs. 

Byron E. Near, Mrs. 

Wm. Van Dermoor, Mrs. 

Louis G. Verbeek, Mrs. 

Harvey Van Voast, Mrs. 
John E. Myers, 



Ste})hen Vedder, 
Jay Westinghouse, 
Mary Van Vranken, 
Andrew T. Veeder, 
Oliu Luffman, 
Charles N. Yates, 
Welton Stanford, 
William Schermerhorn, 
Henry J. Clute, 
John E. Myers, 



COMMITTEE ON FEORAL EMBLE3IS. 



Miss Mary Cleary, 
Mrs. Maxwell Ellis, 
Miss Anna McNee, 
Miss Libbie Thompson, 



Mrs. Clay Whitely, 
Mrs. William Johnson, 
Miss Cornelia Bond, 
Mrs. E. T. Lawsing. 



COMMITTEE ON MOTTOES, SYMBOLS AND BANNERS. 



Jay Westinghouse, 


Charles N. Yates, 


Harvey Lyon, 


Henry Swere. 


co:mmittee on memoriae exhibition. 


William Van Vranken, 


Mrs. Austin A. Yates, 


Andrew J. Barhydt, 


Miss Cornelia Boardman. 


Daniel Vedder, 


Mrs. E. Brinton, 


W. T. L. Sanders, 


Mrs. B. A. Mynderse, 


Austin A. Yates, 


Mrs. C. P. Sanders, 


G. Lansing Oothout, 


INIiss C. Veeder, 


Benj. L. Conde, 


IVIrs. Edward Rosa, 


Jonathan Pearson, 


IVfrs. Maxwell Ellis, 


J. Vanderveer, 


Mrs. C. Van Slyck, 


Cornelius Lansing, 


Mrs. Levi Clute, 


Casi)er F. Hoag, 


IVIrs. Levi Young, 


John E. ]\Iyers, 


]\Iiss Annie Gleason, 


Jacob F. Clute, 


Miss Elizabeth Yates. 



Edward Rosa, 



THE PROCEEDINGS. 29 



COMMITTEE ON ENTERTAINMENT OF FRIENDS. 

Jacob W. Clute, Mrs. J. W. Clute, 

Judson S. Landon, Mrs. J. S. Landon, 

Henry Rosa, Mrs. Henry Rosa, 

B. A. Mynderse, Mrs. J. H. Barhyte. 



Jonas Hallenbeck, William Van Densen, 

James Van Voast, William Van Dermoor, 

Harvey Van Voast, Welton Stanford, 
William Vrooraan, ■ Jacob W. Clute, 

John Juno, Gulian V. P. Lansing, 

Byron E. Near, Louis G. Verbeek, 

Fred. C. Jacobs, John E. Myers, 

William Van Epps, Wm. Schermerhorn. 

COMMITTEE ON DUTCH SERVICE. 

Danniel Vedder, Cornelius Lansing. 

COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION OF HISTORY AND SERMON. 

Jacob W. Clute, B. A. Mynderse, 

William Van Vranken, Olin S. Luffman. 

COMMITTEE ON SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY. 

C. E. Kingsbury, Mrs. William Johnson, 

Levi Young, Mrs. H. J. Clute, 

Miss Lou Rosa. 

COMMITTEE IN CHARGE OF MEMORIAL EXHIBITION AT NIGHT. 

Fred. C. Jacobs, William H. Young, 

William Van Epps, James Butler, 

P. T. Brinton, Edward S. Vrooman. 

ORGANIST AND CHOIR. 

C. E. Kingsbury, 
James B. W. Lansing, Miss Abbie Bander, 

J. W. McClellan, Miss Vandenburg. 



Schenectady, June 21, 1S80. 

Dear Pastor : — We most heartily thank you for the very interesting and in- 
struciive discourse delivered by you on Sabbath morning, June 20th inst., 
upon the occasion of the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the 
founding of our church. 

Its publication in connection with an account of the other exercises of the 
occasion, and with the history of the church, prepared by Prof Jonathan Pear- 
son, will furnish a memorial of the past history and present position of the 
church, most honorable in itself, and one which we venture to hope will be 
carefully preserved by those who shall come after us, even after the lapse of 
other centuries. 

Permit us to add that we congratulate ourselves that the long line of our 
learned and honored pastors rests as the church enters upon its third century 
with one who so thoroughly understands and so faithfully portrays the spirit 
and devotion of his predecessors, 

Rev. WM. E. GRIFFIS, Pastor First Reformed Church, Schenectady. 
Very truly yours, 

MARTIN Deforest, c. e. kingsbury, 

DANIEL VEDDER, HENRY ROSA, 

J. V. VROOMAN, A. A. YATES, 

T. H. REEVES, A. FRAME, 

WM. VAN VRANKEN, E. T. LAWSING, 

EDWARD ROSA, G. L. OOTHOUT, 

JAS. H. BARHYTE, JAMES H. CLUTE, 

J. S. LANDON, P. FENWICK, 

J. A. BARHYDT, JACOB W. CLUTE, 

STEWART MYERS, RICHARD MARCELLUS, 

CHARLES N. YATES, ANDREW T. VEEDER, 

WM. CHRISLER, C. VAN SLYCK, 

B. A. MYNDERSE, CORNELIUS THOMSON, 

CORNELIUS LANSING, CHAUNCEY O. YATES, 

JOHN WESTINGHOUSE, GEORGE SHAIBLE, 

WM. VAN DERMOOR, CASPER F, HOAG. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 



I Kings, 8 : 57. 
" The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers." 

It is with no trivial thought or shallow emotion, that we en- 
grave these words in enduring stone over that portal of this edi- 
lice which is consecrated to the memory of the fathers, and 
which looks toward the land whence they came ; that we choose 
them for the text of our memorial discourse ; that we breathe 
them to-day as our heartfelt prayer ; that with them on our lips 
and in our hearts, we survey the i)ast ; and that holding them as 
a lamp to our feet we step into the unknown path of the future, 
and begin a third century. 

The past is to us an open book, all inscribed by the finger of 
Providence. On the white page of the present the characters 
are being traced. The future is to us a book closed. In trem- 
bling hope before that shut volume, we pray " The Lord our 
God be with us," with earnestness equal to the exultant grati- 
tude with which we utter the fact, " as he was with our fathers." 

Cast with me your retrospect over two centuries, and contrast 
the present with the past ; and if to-day we have reason for 
thanksgiving that to us the lines have fallen in pleasant places, 
and a goodly heritage is ours, let us honor the fathers, who in 
simple virtue, laid the foundations of this city, and in the faith 
once delivered to the saints, consecrated to Almighty God their 
sabbaths, their sanctuaries, themselves and their children. 

Who were the fathers ? Whence and why came they to this 
continent, and into this valley — not then a teeming highway of 
empire, rosaried with threads of iron and water, beaded with 
cities, and glistening with unnumbered harvest fields and happy 
homes, but lonely, untilled and desolate, save as the Iriquois 
broke its solitude? Whence and why came our fathers ? His- 
torian, poet and artist tell us with pride, that the first settlere of 



32 THE SERMON. 



New Engiaiid and the carolinas were exiles seeking " freedom to 
worship God," and martyrs driven before the persecuting sword 
" to found a faith's pxire shrine." Nor do we deny it. As citi- 
zens of a great republic, we with their descendants honor their 
memory, and will with them "call it holy ground, the spot 
where first they trod," though with more of truth than the}^, we 
can say of ours, " They have left unstained what there they 
found, reedom to worship God." Yet frankly we confess it, 
without shame we tell it, that our fathers left Holland, and foun- 
ded this Empire State in pursuit of commercial enterprise alone. 
The first settlers of Schenectady entered this fair valley to find 
what they had alread)^ left behind them in Holland. 

Why were not the Hollanders political exiles or religious refu- 
gees ? Simply because they had no need to be. They were 
under no ban, no persecution. They could not flee from despot- 
ism or persecution, for Holland was already free. Her protest- 
ant faith, her toleration were already gained. Her Reformers, 
Gansevoort and Agricola had begun the Reformation fifty years 
before Martin Luther. Guido de Bres had formed the Con- 
fession of faith which is still ours, in 1563. The first martyrs, 
Esch and Voes, who were burned at the stake at AntAverp in 
1523, lighted by their own bodies the first candles of liberty 
that made the Dutch republic under William the Silent a beacon 
of liberty that lighted the world. The poor people of Holland 
called themselves " The Churches of the Netherlands under the 
Cross," and when come to national freedom, unity and power 
were not only among the first churches of Protestant Europe in 
the Reformation, but were the first to accord liberty of con- 
science and toleration of faith. Under the banners of the Prin- 
ces of Orange, inscribed with the emblem of a pelican feeding 
her young with blood from her own breast, the Hollanders not 
only won liberty, but they granted it to others. Even the Pil- 
grim fathers found a home in Leyden, and there learned some of 
their best lessons of liberty before they came to America. That 
Holland was the asylum for exiles of every land, one need only 
examine and analyze the oldest names of our own congregation 
to see in them the tell-tale evidence that the liberty of brave lit- 
tle Holland was shared by many nationalities. Our fathers 
could not fly for libei'ty or conscience sake from the home-land, 
for these they had ali-eady possessed for nigh a century, and 
these — religion and liberty, they brought with them here. ■ 



THE SERMON. 33 



So then, by virtue of historic truth, we claim for our fathers 
equal renown with the Pilgrims or the Hugenots, and a yet more 
ancient heritage of freedom. With pride we confess it to-day 
that our fathers kindled not the beacon of liberty first in this 
wilderness, but already lighted and burning brightly, they brought 
hither the torch from the home hearth-fire. 

On the shores of Manhattan and Long Islands, on the Hudson 
at Albany and Kingston, on the Delaware at New Amstel, the 
Hollanders had already settled with their churches, pastors and 
schoolmasters, when this valley was still owned by the Six Na- 
tions of Indians, whose totem or coat of arms was a tortoise. 
The Mohawks were considered as dwelling in the head, as the 
Senecas were in the tail, and the other tribes in the several feet. 
Schenectady, or the place "beyond the pine-plains," was the fre- 
quent site of the council-fire of the tribes, and the eastern capi- 
tal of the confederacy. The founder of our city, Arendt Van 
Curler, bought, tM^enty-one years before William Penn, from the 
Mohawk sachems, in 1661, the Great Flat of this valley, and the 
next year led a band of fifteen hardy pioneers with their fami- 
lies from Renssylaerwyck, now Albany. Theii- motive in leav- 
ing this settlement and striking into the western wilderness was 
to escape local annoyances, and enjoy a freedom more exactly 
like that of Holland. They entered the wilderness, pathless 
then save an Indian trail of pine and sand, which still stretches 
in ancient barrenness before the eye of the railroad tourist from 
Albany, their goal being the fertile lands near us. Reaching 
Norman's Kill — that stream as historic as Penn's elm tree — at 
which the Dutch and the Mohawks in 1618 entered into eternal 
friendship, the pioneers after a march eastward in which they 
had followed the line of trees "blazed" by the Indians, turned 
to the north, until they halted on the south side of the Mohawk 
river, where we now live. The aboriginal name of the site cho- 
sen was retained in justice to the hospitable savages. Would 
that this policy of embalming in our speech the ancient birth- 
right names of the great natural features of our country had 
been more generally followed. 

Quickly the lands were allotted, the forest trees cut down, 
the rude houses built, and the seeds cast into the soil. A stock- 
ade of tree trunks, with bastions at each corner, marked the par- 
allelogram, whose sides are now Washington avenue, Front, 
Ferry and State streets, while Church and Union crossing each 

5 



34 THE SERMON. 



other at right angles cut the settlement into four squares, which 
again were subdivided into sixteen. Two gates were built, one 
on Front street, near the river, and one at State, opening to- 
ward Fort Orange, or Albany. Thus, before the hostile savages 
of Canada could swoop upon them, a village had sprung up in 
the pine woods. The festal garlands that decorate our church 
to-day were gathered from trees miles away. Two centuries ago, 
the entii-e site of the city was embowered by them. Church and 
Union streets of the future were for years dotted with stimips, 
and to the echoing and rustling forest, then full of all the wild 
voices of nature, the people listened as they sat on their sills or 
rude " stoeps " at eventide, and every breeze floated to them 
freighted with the resinous aroma of the encircling woods. So 
sudden was the building of the village that the bear, the wolf, 
the deer and the wild turkey, and even the buffalo, surprised on 
their way down from the highlands back of the river, now called 
College, Prospect, and Paige hills, to drink in the Binne-kill, 
v/ere sometimes shot within the limits of the palisades. The 
river then, as often now, was swollen with the melting of the 
Adirondack snows, and the magnificent sight of the flats and 
islands covered with a sheet of turbid water, and receiving their 
top-dressing of enriching silk, gave first augury of that wondrous 
fertility which for two centuries hiis made the soil of the Mo- 
hawk valley [»roductive to a proverb. 

With the same peaceful disposition as that much lau<led in 
Penn and his Quaker founders of the city of Brotherly Love, 
the settlers lived side by side with the dusky Mohawks. Their 
admiration for the simple, manly character of Van Curler, the 
founder, led them for many years to address the governors of 
the Province, both Dutch and English, as "Corlaer." By the 
name of the founder, also, was the village known to the French 
and Canada Indians from whom there was ever the threatening 
terror of massacre and pillage. More than one description of 
the fort and hamlet w^as sent to the court beauties and favorites 
of Louis XIV, at Versailles, (in the archives of which i)lace they 
liave been found), by the French ofticers and gallants at Mon- 
treal and Quebec. For the sake of winning courtly favor at 
Versailles, was Schenectady finally destroyed and our ancestors 
massacred by the Frenchmen in Canada. 

For eight or ten years, the villagers had no church, but met 
occasionally for worship in private houses, or were content with 



THE SERMON. 



family prayer and the home reading of the scriptures and con- 
fession of faith, or the reading of a homily by the *' voorlezer." 
Occasionally one of the domines from Albany came up to preach 
and administer the sacrament, baptize the children, or bury the 
dead. Or, the peoj^le here would make a journey to Albany to 
enjoy the ministrations of religion, which kept them Christians, 
even amid the toils of a rough frontier life. For nearly a cen- 
tury Schenectady was the outpost of colonial civilization. 
Whether under the red white and blue flag of Holland, or the 
red cross and lion of England, they were equally unprotected 
fi-om the merciless savages both red and white. 

When was this church first organized ? Dr. E. T. Corwin. 
the biographer of the Reformed church says in his Manual about 
1670. Professor Jonathan Pearson, in his history of our church 
thinks it certain that the church had an existence in 1674. As 
all the papers and books of the chui-ch kept by the first pastor, 
Tassemaker, were burned with his own body in the massacre of 
1690, perhaps the exact date will never.be known. Yet of this 
we are certain, that as early as 1680 the church had a consistory 
and stated services were held by the ministers from Albany. 
Our list of elders and deacons begins with the year 1680. There- 
fore we call this year of grace 1880, our bi-centennial, although 
M-e might claim greater age. The Rev. Gideon Schaets, of Al- 
bany, organized the church, and visited it at various times from 
the first year of the settlement, until 1694. Both our first pas- 
tor, Tassemaker (or Thesschenmacher), and Domine Schaets 
were pupils or adherents of the famous Voetius, who was Pro- 
fessor of theology at the University of Utrecht, and a belliger- 
ant opponent of the now extinct sect of Labadists, a species of 
Quaker Communists (of a good kind). Two of these people 
who afterwards located colonies on the Hudson river visited 
both Albany and Schenectady, and revenged themselves on the 
two Dutch domines by writing a pamphlet in which they merci- 
lessly criticized the style, manner and doctrine of the two Voet- 
ians Schaets and Tassemaker. 

Our first church edifice stood within, and near the southern 
line of the stockade, at the end of Church street, on State. The 
l)arsonage and pasture-lot — for the early Dutch always built a 
house for the domine, as soon as they built a church — was with- 
in the bounds of the present church lot at the corner of Church 



36 THE SERMON. 



and Union streets, and was occupied for this purpose for 130 
years. Dutch ministers were very scarce after the English con- 
quest in 1664. Only one came from Holland during the 
years from 1 662 to 1 676. Petrus Tassemaker (or Thesschenmach- 
er), our first pastor, was a graduate of Utrecht University, and 
an enthusiastic pupil of Prof. Voetius, whose orthodoxy was not 
considered to possess the exact tint of true blue, by the only 
four Dutch ministers then in America. They, however, organ- 
ized a Classis, and ordained him, so that our infant church se- 
cured the fruits of the first Classis that ever met, and of the first 
Dutch ordination that ever took place in America. 

All that is known of our first pastor in his relation to our church 
is that he was a good student, a man of culture and travel, 
that he especially disliked the Labadists, and that he labored in 
the gospel both for the Dutch and the Indians here during six 
years. Within a few feet of this pulpit stood the little parson- 
age, at the door of which the silent savages and Frenchmen sent 
by Frontenac stood, hatchet in hand, on the midnight of Febru- 
ary 8th, 1690, until the war-whoop was raised. Then a blow, the 
scalp torn off, the house fired, his body cast into the bla- 
zing timbers, was burned to the shoulder blades. His head was 
barbarously carried away on a pike, but his ashes were scattered 
no man knows whither. The settlement was annihilated. The 
mighty King of France, Louis XIV, and his Consort, Madame 
de Maiutenon, at Versailles, were told the full story of the mas- 
acre of the heretics by Monseignat, and Schenectady became the 
theme of grave debate in Paris and London. We propose to re- 
member their sorrows upon the walls of this edifice — the church 
of the fathers and of their children. To the memory of our first 
pastor and his flock, the martyrs of 1690, we shall soon erect a 
marble tablet inscribed in letters of gold. The minister left no 
descendants to mourn for him, but many of the children in the 
sixth and seventh generation of the murdered fathers still live 
as worshii)])ers in our church to-day. 

The first pastor of our church, like all the others until Dr. 
Romeyn, or after the Revolution, were educated in Holland ; for 
the fathers then and the children now, alike demand that their 
ministers be liberally educated. With the names of Leyden and 
Utrecht, their Alma Matres, as also with the fir tree and pine 
and box together, we to-day beautify the })lace of God's sanctu- 
ary in which they ministered. Nor do we forget Dortrecht in 



THE SERMON. 37 



which tlie national synod Avas held in 1819, and the national 
faith confirmed ; nor Antwerp, in which the first confessors and 
martyrs of the Dutch church, the old church under the cross, 
lived, and suffered, and died ; nor the ancestral motto in the 
mother-tongue, " Eendracht maakt macht ;" with the scripture 
word alike of warning and che^r, " Nisi Dominus frustra." 

It was more than sullen obstinacy and defiant hatred of their 
enemies that led the survivors of the massacre — a pitiful rem- 
nant to come back to the ashes of their former homes and 

resolve to build anew. It was true courage, as brave, as sub- 
lime, as the martyr's heroism or the warrior's rage. Into this 
wilderness they came to begin anew their toils, and to light 
ao-ain the altar.fires of devotion. Until the peace of Ryswick, 
in 1697, there was no safety in this valley except behind fortifi- 
cations, with the loaded rifle always at hand. From 1694 to 
1699 the Rev. Godfrey Dellius, the assistant of Domine Schaets 
in Albany ministered once a month in the " Dorp," and labored 
to christianize the Indians. After the declaration of peace, 
they were again strong enough in 1700, to call a minister, and build 
a new church. Our second pastor was the Rev. Bernardus 
Freeman, a scholarly, christian gentleman, able to preach in 
English as well as Dutch, and later in the Indian tongue. With 
his courteous manners, abilities and character he won the hearts 
of Hollander and Mohawk alike. He translated several books 
of the scriptures, the creeds, and a portion of the English lit- 
urgv into the English language. A volume of sermons, and one 
of "miscellaneous writings, and some of his translations — proofs 
of a studious life— are still in existence, preserved at New 
Brunswick, N. J. To one of these books is prefixed his portrait 
showing the author in the gown, bands and luxurious wig or 
curled hair of the period. After five years of service at Sche- 
nectady Dr. Freeman was called to Flatbush, L. I., where a 
house erected by him is still standing. 

This earnest endeavor of our Dutch fathers to civilize and 
christianize the Indians deserves more than a passing notice. 
There have been Washington Irvings to caricature, almost to 
indecency ; there have been writings to malign and bigots to 
lampoon and belittle the Dutchmen, but the historian or essayist 
of genius who will portray in stately and winning diction their 
true characteristics and show their virtues, is yet to arise. All 



38 THE SERMOX. 



the world has heard of John Eliot, of Massachusetts, preaching 
to the red man. Pen, painting, poem and eulogy have embalmed 
his fame ; yet the Dutch domines of Albany began preaching 
to the Indians three years before Eliot held his first service. 
Hundreds of names of genuine Indian })roselytes are still on the 
roll of our church and that at Albany. Our own fathers looked 
upon the Mohawks as something niore than brutes, or creatures 
merely from whom money and beaver skins could be obtained. 
Three of our own pastors were missionaries to the Indians. Our 
own church records show that hundreds of the sons of the forest 
were influenced for good. Many were truly converted and sat in 
worship with our fathers in the old churches on the Street of the 
Martyrs. There they partook of the same conmiunion together. 
There the Indian pappooses were held in the arms of their dusky 
mothers, who stood in beads and blankets, before the same bap- 
tismal font, (whose ancient shape we reproduoe in the white 
rosebuds of yesterday,) at which waited the white lady and her 
infant in christening-quilt of silk and embroidery. There, 
too, the Indian lover stood with his Indian bride, and in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, in 
the words of the Christian ritual, vowed to love and cherish one 
wife in his wigwam ; and, when our fathers came annually to 
pay their pew rent or sulDscriptions in beaver skins, the Christ- 
ian Indians came also with like gifts for th^ sanctuary. When 
the domine died, the Mohawks out of sympathy presented pel- 
tries and strings of wampum as tokens of condolence. We erect 
on our walls on this festal day the heraldic insignia, not only of 
Holland, of Britain, and of America, the pelican, the lion and 
the eagle, but also the tortoise, in remembrance of our Indian 
Christians and church members. Our extant records shows a 
portion of the good work done among these Indians, viz.: 39 
marriages, 101 baptisms, and 14 communicants received into the 
church, from 1702 to 1717, and indicate much good accom- 
plisl^ed in these fifteen years ; the records of the work of jtre- 
vious years being unfortunately lost to us. 

We wonder how many intelligent Americans who confound 
the geographically Low Dutch with the morally low " Dutch- 
men," the Hans Breitman type of i>eople, who never came from 
Holland, or who form their ideas of the Hollanders from the 
caricatures of Irving, are accjuaintcd with facts like these? 



THE SERMON. 



And when the Mohawks dwindled aw.ay, and the Oneidas and 
Tuscaroras lingered on their reservations in western New York, 
this church assisted liberally, for many years, until 1830, to 
maintain missionaries among them, under the auspices of a 
society that was organized mainly by her pastor, Dr. Romeyn, 
and of which he was president. 

To accommodate the increasing number of white worshipers 
and Christian Indians, a siibscription paper was circulated, and 
a second church was built in 1703, on the site of the first edifice, 
at the south end of Church street, on State, then called the 
"Street of the Martyrs." Its dimensions were 55 by 46 feet. 
It was probably built of stone. The burying ground to the west 
of it, was 15 feet wide and 56 feet long. The first three edifices 
were erected in the middle of the street and were loopholed for 
musketry, since attack from the Canada French and Indians was 
a possible event until the close of the French and Indian war, 
in 1763. Many a husband, father or brother, while out on a 
trading expedition, canoeing the rivers, or tilling the soil, fell 
before the hidden foe. A puff of smoke, a whistling bullet, a 
fallen victim, a yell, a scalp, covert regained, and all was over. 
A mutilated body brought home to a mourning household, a 
funeral in the little church, a procession on foot to God's acre 
on Green street beyond the fort, or news of some fresh captive 
carried off to Canada, Avere common events until the Revolu- 
tion. 

It was a sad day for the church and village when Dr. Free- 
man left them, and for eight years, except for the visit of an 
Albany minister about three times a year, there were no reli- 
gious services. From 1709 to 1715 the Rev. Thomas Barclay, 
a missionary of the London Society for the propagation of the 
Gospel, and military chaplain of the fort at Albany, preached 
once a mouth, and read the English liturgy in the church, and 
hoped to bring the villagers into the English church ; but the 
Dutchmen clung to their ancestral faith and ritual, and in 1715 
secured a [»astor from Holland, the Rev. Thomas Brouwer. Little 
is known of his life, except that he must have made good proof 
of his ministry, since he received 108 persons into the church, 
baptized 505 children, and married 53 couples during the thir- 
teen years of his service here. He was buried under the pulpit 
of the church in which he served, and his dust removed to a 



40 THE SERMON. 



similar place when the third church of 1734 was built, and his 
bones now lie in Vale Cemetery. In this resj^ect his remains 
are honored above those of his flock, who still sleep in their un- 
marked graves beneath the cobble stones of the street pave- 
ment, over which the wheels rattle, and the feet of the unthink- 
ing passer-by tread. Were I a son of Schenectady and a rich 
man, I should ask from the city, or purchase a few square feet 
of ground at the end of Church street on State, where stood the 
first two church edifices, and beneath which still lie the bones 
of the ancestors, and I should erect in enduring granite a monu- 
ment to the historic past, and to the memory of the founders of 
this city whose dust lies beneath. And could I dispose of the 
city funds, I should prefer to spend one hundred dollars in this 
method of permanent adornment, than to allow five hundred 
dollars to fizzle away in smoke after the Chinese fashion. Bet- 
ter yet than powder or marble, perhaps would it be for some 
public-spirited citizen to e rect as a memorial to the fathers, a 
free public library. Certainly I should rejoice if some one of 
Dutch blood, if not of Dutch name should thus worthily honor 
the past, and benefit the })resent generation. 

The fourth pastor of the church was the Rev. Reinhardt Erich 
zon, a native of North Holland, who. like Dr. Romeyn, was 
called from Hackensack, N. J. A man of more than ordinary 
ability, he was first president of the Coetus, the General Synod 
of that clay, and which made the Declaration of Independence 
of the Dutch church in America from that of Holland. During 
the eight years of his pastorate here, (1728-1736,) the royal 
charter of the Church was procured from King George II of 
England, and the new stone church on Union and Church streets 
was built. He was probably the first of the pastors who was 
already married when he first came to Schenectady. Several 
of his descendants are still living in our congregation. He was 
called to Freehold, N, J., in which place we have been able to 
secure a porti-ait of him which may be seen to-morrow. Two 
hundred and six persons were received into the church during 
his ministry here. 

A subscription for a new church with a clock and bell having 
been circulated, and sufiicient wheat and guilders having been 
subscribed, building began in 1732, and the church was dedi- 
cated January 13, 1734. This third edifice, 80x56 feet, built of 
graywacke or blue sandstone, with a space of ten feet around it 



THE SERMOX. 41 



for the funeral cortege to pass around the church, is remem- 
bered by a few of the older members of the church, whose num- 
ber diminishes yearly. The belfry was surmounted by the 
orthodox vane on which a cock of St. Nicholas, as became a 
Dutch church, greeted the dayspring, and gave the direction of 
the wind. 

Within, the pulpit stood on the west side, on a narrow pedes- 
tal, with a conical sounding board beyond. An hour-glass could 
always be seen on a bracket in front of the minister, who, after 
he had consumed one hour in the service, reversed the glass for 
the sands to run afresh. Behold it on my left, transfigured in 
flowers ! In front of the pulpit was the chancel (Dophuisje) 
surrounded by a railing, within which the minister stood while 
handing the bread and wine to the communicants, or adminis- 
tering baptism. In the service the men and women sat iapart, 
the men on raised seats along the wall, and the women in slips 
or bancken, in the body of the house. Hats or bonnets did not 
trouble the head of the women until after the Revolution, but 
wearing hoods in winter, and their own braided hair in sum- 
mer, with kerchief over their shoulders, they sat with heads un- 
covered during services, 

In 1800 family or square pews were first set apart. No such 
thing as a flue or chimney was visible in the church architect- 
ure, and stoves were unknown until 1792. From early times 
the men warmed their hands by casing them in their stout coat 
pockets. The women brought small foot stoves in their sleighs to 
church in winteri or had their husbands, slaves or servants carry 
them, often a distance of two or three miles. Occasionally some 
one fainted on account of the fumes of the charcoal, but in gen- 
eral gas and cold alike were borne without complaint, for linsey 
Avoolsey and stout lungs were the fashion then. The first stoves 
erected were mounted on platforms nearly as high as the gallery 
but were finally lowered to the floor, as the philosophers of the 
time, who had charge of the stoves, discovered that heat rises. 

The old bell that for 116 years called with its silvery notes 
the people to worship, was cast in Holland, by the renowned 
Johann Albert de Grave, in 1732. Tradition says that several 
pounds of silver in coin and plate were contributed by the citi- 
zens of Amsterdam, as a missionary offering to this church in the 
far off American wilderness, and were melted into the bell. 

6 



42 THE SERMON. 



Though weighing only 600 pounds, it gave out, when rung, such 
perfect vibrations, that its mai-vellously clear and sweet tones 
were often heard ten miles up the valley. Two inscriptions 
girdled the bell near the top, which was decorated with a row 
of grapes and leaves. The Dutch legend read as follows : " The 
bell of the Low Dutch congregation of Schenectady, at their 
own request, 1732;" the Latin, " De Grave and N. Muller of 
Amsterdam made me." Li 1848, after 116 years of service, the 
beautiful bell was hopelessly cracked. Being removed, much of 
its metal was recast into a heavier bell, which, however, was un- 
satisfactory. A new one having none of the old metal in it was 
finally put up in the belfry, and after 13 years of service was 
encircled by the great fire of August 6th, 1861. It gave one 
sad final note as it fell, was melted in the intense heat, and ran 
in molten streams on the ground. Enough of the old bell of 
1732 was saved to make thereof a few clock and tea bells, which 
still exist in the congregation. With sweet and perfumed 
memories of the old bell, the skillful fingers of the ladies have 
reproduced this morning before our eyes, its form in a trans- 
figuration of beauty. Does it not seem to you on whose ears 
fell the music of the old church bell, that out of the grave of 
bygone days, it has arisen this Sabbath day, in the bright resur- 
rection of flowers *? 

The clock and clock-tower must have been taken downi some- 
time during the last century, as few living persons remember 
them. Yet on the old church seal used to stamp documents, 
there was a distinct representation of it, and our records show 
that it was not only built, but a man was employed to keep it in 
order for some years. 

It is interesting to know that the church still possesses among 
her papers, the original subscription lists for building each one of 
her five edifices, except the first, and for ])urchasing the bell and 
clock. It has been w^th a thrill of imagination, that I have com- 
posed this discourse, not from vague tradition, but from a study 
of the actual documents, now time-stained and crumbling, which 
were touched by the hands of the fathers of one or two cen- 
turies ago. 

Our fifth pastor, after an interval of several years, was the 
Rev. Cornelius Van Santvoord, a graduate of Leyden, a bril- 
liant scholar and writer, whose woi'ks are still extant, one of 



THE SERMON. 43 



which has been traiishxted by my friend, llev. M. G. Hansen, of 
Coxsackie, N. Y. He preached fluently in English, French and 
Dutch. He was called from Staten Island, and ministered in 
Schenectady twelve years, dying Jaimary 6th, 1752, at the 
age of 55 years. He was buried under the pulpit of the old 3rd 
church, and his remains now sleep in Vale Cemetery. During 
his ministry 151 persons were received into the church, 645 chil- 
dren baptised, and 174 couples married. One terrible event dur- 
ing his pastorate must be noticed briefly. 

Scarcely had the generation, who witnessed the first massacre, 
passed away, when this church and village were plunged into 
mourning by another appalling calamity. On a summer's day, 
July 18, 1748, a party of about forty townsmen went out to Ben- 
kendal, three miles from this church, to assist in raising a barn 
still standing. Hearing the sound, as they believed, of the wild 
turkey, and seized Avith the hunter's joy, they were led into the 
dreadful ambuscade, and became the helpless targets for a hun- 
dred French and Indian rifles. Several were carried captive to 
Canada, and toward sunset of that dreadful day, on the floor of 
the old barn visible from our north windows, only a few feet 
distant, two rows of the ghastly slain were laid for recognition 
by their wives or children. It was a sad day for this church and 
the village. It was in the midst of alarms like these, that our 
fathei-s lived. They loopholed their church walls, posted the 
sentinels at the gates, and those who lived beyond the palisades 
came to church with their rifles on their backs and powder-horn 
at their side. 

For three years after the death of their pastor the churcli was 
shepherdless. It is a tax on the imagination for us at the pres- 
ent time to realize how diftieult it w^as in those days to procure 
a minister. Our fathers insisted that he must have a University 
education, in Holland, None but one trained up in the Dort- 
recht theology would do, and the expense and trouble of settling 
a minister were very great. The expense of his passage across 
the ocean, and freight and carriage of himself and his goods 
must be paid to his place of destination. If a church called 
away a minister before a certain number of years had elapsed 
they mnst pay to the consistory half the money it cost them at 
first. Besides this a parsonage must be built, and so it happened 
that to call and settle the next minister, it cost this church for 



44 THE SERMON. 



passage and freight only, $563. In addition to this, they tore 
down the old parsonage erected about 1691, and built another 
one a story and a half high with many gables like steps. This 
stood inside our present lot until 1814, when it made way for 
the fourth church edifice. 

The Rev. Barent Vrooman, the sixth pastor was born in Sche- 
nectady, and was a descendant of one of our former elders, 
grand Adam Vrooman, who defended his home at the corner of 
Front and Church streets so bravely during the massacre. Bar- 
ent Vrooman after jjreaching a few months in the region of New 
Paltz, where he laid the corner stone of a church still standing, 
came to Schenectady when 29 years of age, and served the 
church during thirty years, amid all the distractions of the 
French and Indian wars, and the Revolution. He was six feet 
four inches high, of commanding figure, very kind to the poor, 
benevolent and sociable, fluent in delivery, and active in the 
church at large. His people were very devoted to him, and he 
gave his best years to them, until he dropped dead with palsy. 
There is not much sentiment in ledgers 'and cash books, nor 
pathos in receipt books, but I confess to have been deeply moved 
in comparing the bold, strong signatui-e of the young Barent 
Vrooman of 30, and the same sign-manual in trembling, crooked 
lines of Barent Vrooman in his old age. During his long pas- 
torate he baptized 3,521 children, married 383 couples, and re- 
ceived 453 members into the church. 

For 113 years after the founding of the village, there was no 
other church except the Dutch in this place, though several 
English families lived here as early as 1710. In 1735 the Epis- 
copal church was organized, but it was not until 1762 that a 
small stone edifice was erected, in which the Scotch and English 
worshipped alternately. Like a good Dutch church, it bears on 
its weathervane the cock of St. Nicholas. Nor were any of the 
Reformed churches in this county or Classis organized until near 
the close of the last century, except that of Nlskayuna, at which 
services were held as early as 1740, the first pastor being a 
Mohican Indian. It will be thus understood why the ministers 
of this church were kept so busy in marrying couples and bap- 
tizing children. All the Dutch families in the county were 
adherents to this one church, and other nationalities availed 
themselves of the services of tlie doniinc^ here. Our record of 



THE SERMOX. 45 



baptisms and marriages, except during the ten years of the 
revohitionary period, are quite complete, from the year 1691, 
those before the massacre having been burned in the first par- 
sonage. These records are extremely valuable, and should be 
placed beyond all danger of loss by fire. From them Prof. Pear- 
son compiled his valuable genealogical work on "The First 
Settlers of Schenectady and their descendants," and also the 
History of this, our church, soon to be published ; and what is 
more, never received one penny for his labor of love. Scarcely 
a week passes but that the church records are consulted to estab- 
*lish personal identity, legal questions, pensions and other finan- 
cial claims, and historical facts. Inquirers come or write from 
Canada, Texas, California, and along the Mohawk and Hudson 
vallies. The citizens and the church alike are interested in see- 
ing these memorials preserved. A fire-proof safe is greatly 
needed. 

The church that to-day celebrates her 200th anniversary is 
the mother of nine Reformed churches and of Union College. 
Every one of the Reformed churches in the Classis of Schenec- 
tady owes more or less of their first beginning to this church. 
They are her children, stepchildren or grandchildren, and the 
two churches of Glenville, the two of Rotterdam, Princetown, 
and the 2nd Church of this city sprang directly from us, and in 
several instances were liberally aided, Union College now in 
her 85th year, is the child of this church. To the Rev. Dirck 
Romeyn, our seventh pastor this city owes grateful memory, for 
havino; given it the first impulse to systematic public education. 
Of all the names of men to whom Schenectady is indebted, I 
know none more worthy of honor than that of Dirck Romeyn. 
A prince and a leader in the Reformed church, an exemplar of 
Christianity, a public-spirited citizen of large ideas, the compan- 
ion of statesmen and men great in knowledge, action and char- 
acter, his reputation was national as well as local. He took the 
lead in this state in the support and patronage of classical learn- 
ing, in securing the freedom of the Dutch church in America 
from that of Holland, with the aid of Livingston, in writing 
her constitution, and establishing her Theological Seminary— the 
oldest in America— and in organizing the foreign missionary 
work, for all christians. His experience during the Revolution— 
the time that tried men's souls— broadened his whole nature. 



46 THE SEmiON. 



He was born a British citizen, was by language and lineage a 
Dutchman, but when with us an American, and died under the 
stars and stripes. And these three national colors we fitly en- 
twine around his name. He looked to the future, not to the 
past. He gently but earnestly won the people from dead issues, 
and bade them step on. He taught them that they were Dutch- 
men no more, but Americans, and that the language so dear to 
the lessening number of greyheaded fathers, must be abandoned 
for the future speech of this nation and continent. Yet in all 
rounds of his busy life he was an humble christain, and a faith- 
ful preacher of Christ's gospel. His tomb we to-day garland 
with flowers, and his name we write in letters of gold, and place 
it in the centre of the illustrious dead because we believe him 
to have been the best and ablest of all our pastors. After serv- 
ing this church for twenty years, he fell asleep in Christ, April 
16th, 1804. His sepulchre and that of his honored consort are 
with us in Vale Cemetery. During his ministry the church hav- 
ing expanded to its largest size, and having 484 members on it 
roll and a congregation o+ 2,500, employed an assistant, the Rev. 
Jacob Sickles, from 1794 to 1797, and the Rev. J. H. Meier, 
1803-1806. Both of these young men were graduates of the 
Theological Seminary, in which Dr. Romeyn was professor. The 
first, while here, accepted a call to Coxsackie ; then, after three 
vears, he went to Kinderhook, where, after laboring 34 years, 
he died, in 1845. Mr. Meier, after tliree years of promising life 
and service here died of consumption, and was buried at Albany. 
During the pastorate of Dr. Romeyn, in addition to all his otbei* 
labors he married 945 couples, (nearly one a week), baptized 
3,541 children, (nearly 177 a year, over 3 a week), and received 
248 persons into the chiirch. To him also we owe the careful 
revision and preservation of the church records. He was 
the last of the line of preachers in Dutch. He him- 
self often preached in English, settled the battle of the 
tongues, and persuaded the peo})le to realize that they were no 
longer Dutch, Scotch or English, but for all times Americans ; 
and that as such they could honor the fathers and the traditions 
of the past, yet be none the less American chi-istians. As head 
of the educational institutions of this city. Union College unites 
with us in honoring the memory of one who was the embodi- 
ment of Christian unitv, and as the leader of the church, the 



THE SERMON. 47 



founder of the college. And here charge us not with vain boast- 
ing, if we publish a fact which is so far forgotten in this town, 
as to be fresh news to many, yet which the records of the church 
and college, in paper and chiseled stone prove, and of which at 
the semi-centennial of the college in 1845, copious mention was 
gratefully made. At Dr. Romeyn's instance, under his influence 
and chairmanship, a meeting of the citizens was called in 1784, 
to build an Academy which was to become a College. Twenty- 
seven out of the thirty-one citizens who signed the agreement 
and subscribed handsomely were elders, deacons, ^nembers or 
worshippers in this chnrch. Our church built the Academy 
that stood on the north-west corner of Ferry and Union streets. 
After ten years of prosperity, and through the prominent influ- 
ence of Dr. Ronieyn, aided greatly by the late Governor Yates, 
the charter of Union College was obtained. There may even 
be some still living who remember the evening of February, 1795, 
when the brick Academy building on Ferry street was illumina- 
ted with candles which were lighted all at once by signal, Avhile 
the bell on the roof kept pealing merrily, and the rooms were 
full of happy boys, and the streets were crowded with sympa- 
thizing people, as, with the charter received from the Legisla- 
ture, the academy was merged into the college. And how then 
did our people act ? In true Christian liberality of spirit and 
heart they gave over to the Trustees of Union College, the 
building and endowments worth at least thirty thousand dollars. 
Although people of Dutch decent, loyal to the faith of their 
fathers, they did not make it a Reformed Dutch College. This 
they had already at New Brunswick. But they gave this city 
a Union College, and with their money, and prayers, and anx- 
ious thought they nourished it during its infant years. There 
has been more than one fling at the Dutchmen of this town, but 
the epithets " stingy," "ignorant," " bigoted," cannot fairly belong 
to them, nor ought the city or the college ever forget what this 
church has ever done for them. As one who is proud to be a 
successor of Dirck Romeyn, and to minister to the children of 
the founders of Union College, I can only say to the President 
and officers of the College, " Keep alive in belief and practice 
the principles of the founders." • 

As we enter into a summary of this, the ninteenth century, 
and dwell upon facts within the memory of some still living, I 



48 THE SERMOX. 



must be brief almost to injustice. The tenth pastor of this 
church was the Rev. Cornelius Bogardus a pupil of Dr. Romeyn, 
and a graduate of our Theological Seminary ; for since the Rev- 
olution the churches no longer sent to Holland for their pastors, 
and the English language was everywhere in use in the pulpits. 
Mr. Bogardus, though a promising young man, lived but four years 
in the ministry at Schenectady, dying like his predecessor, Meier, 
of consumption, December 1 5, 1812, at the age of 32. Yet during 
these four years, he received into the church 157 members, 
baptized 444 children, and joined in marriage 117 couples. He 
was the last minister who preached even occasionally in Dutch, 
and the last who officiated in the old stone chui-ch ; for already 
in 1805. the plan of building a new edifice was agitated, but 
not till Dec. 3rd, 1812, were the contracts signed for a new 
brick building. There being no more French or Indians to fear, 
the edifice was built back from the street. The old parsonage 
was demolished to make room, the old church torn down, and a 
handsome and fashionable looking edifice of brick stared at the 
old folks with suspicious newness, and rejoiced the young ones 
with its smart modern look. Other innovations must have made 
some of the old heads shake, for the sexes were not separated as 
of old, and family pews were introduced. Indeed, it nearly 
broke the hearts of the aged folks to have them leave the build- 
ing, and instead of demolishing it at once, it w^as taken down 
piecemeal. Need I desci-ibe the old fourth church '? You remem- 
ber it far better than I, who from documentary and hearsay evi- 
dence only can describe it. The memories of childhood and of 
dear ones gone, and of glorious privileges, and grand singing 
and precious seasons of revival and grace sanctify that old 
church to many of you. Those who never saw it, may be 
told that it seated about 800 people, had three aisles, and gal- 
leries on three sides, 24 square pews along the walls, and 72 in 
the middle blocks. Its organ and chandeliers were the gift of 
Nicholas Vander Volgen, and were beautiful, tasteful and ser- 
viceable. On the 20th of November, 1814, the last services 
were held in the old stone church, which for eighty years had 
re-echoed the voices of Erichzon, Van Santvoord, Vrooman, 
Romeyn, Sickles, Meier and Bogardus, in which many a historic 
personage of the Revolution worshipped, in which the first com- 
mencement of Union College was held, and the students in their 



THE SERMON. 49 



gowns, in seats along the wall, were regular worshippers. Tears 
for the old, smiles for the new ehnrch mingled together. The 
Rev. AndreAV Yates preached morning and afternoon. On the 
following Sabbath, the new church was dedicated, and the Rev. 
Eliphalet Nott preached twice. For 47 years this edifice stood, 
until the fire of August 6th, 1861, when by "the act of God," 
this people were called again for the fifth time to erect a new 
edifice to his glory. 

With that fourth church building is associated inseparably 
the memory of the Rev. Jacob Van Vechten, who held the long- 
est pastorate in the history of this church, who under God was 
the instrument of reaping the richest spiritual harvest, who in- 
troduced needed reforms, and brought back the qualifications 
for baptism and membership to the Bible standard. Our elev- 
enth pastor, Van Vechten, was a graduate of Union College, 
and for many years one of its active trustees. He began his 
pastorate here January 8th, 1815, serving faithfully and labori. 
ously until March 6, 1849, during which time 910 members were 
received into the church. Of retired and studious habits, suffer- 
ing under infirmity for many years, he aimed to purify the church, 
and to promote spiritual and experimental rather than formal 
religion. It had been the custom before him to baptize all chil- 
dren whether of godly or ungodly parentage, legitimate or ille- 
gitimate. Dr. Van Vechten required the scripture test of faith 
and experience. Instead of receiving at the communion table 
all who could recite the Heidleberg Catechism, he taught that 
only those who had experienced the renewing power of repent- 
ance and grace should be members of Christ's church. Honor 
to this faithful man's name. Perhaps better than in his latter 
life he himself would have believed, he illustrated the truth, that 
progress is possible, even in so conservative a thing as re- 
ligion, and in such an institution as the Dutch church. 

The next bishop of the church at Schenectady, the twelfth 
in true apostolical succession, was the Rev. W. J. R. Taylor, 
who has a D. D. at the end of his name that means something. 
He shall have short notice here, for he shall speak for himself as 
baccalaureate preacher this evening. Our twelfth pastor will, 
we hope recall some of the memories of his life here to-morow 
night. He has held more than one honored post in the church 
and Christian world since he left us, and he comes now fresh 

7 



50 THE SERMON. 

from General Synod with the laurels of a Christian Statesman 
upon his brow. We, as a church and people agree with him 
that no test of church-membership save that which Christ im- 
posed should bind the conscience of a Christian man. Do not 
our own consistory records show, that be he opposed to all secret 
societies, or be he a free-mason, or be he odd fellow, or be he what 
he will, so that he is a servant of Christ, he shall sit with us at 
the communion table and be our brother in the Lord ; while we 
at the same time hold Christ and his church supreme over all 
human claims or institutions. My elder brother, be your life 
long, your faith strong, and your good works many ! 

Nor can I speak at length of our next pastor, thirteenth on the 
roll, whom we almost fear will be made President of the United 
States, and who has been made willy-willy a member of Congress 
at the expense of a postage stamp. The President of Amherst 
College remembers with happy emotions that you were his only 
people and this church his only pastoral lore. He preached first 
here May 22nd, 1853, and according to a way you have since re- 
peated, you gave him a unanimous call nine days afterward. 
Like four or five of your pastors, he obtained a good wife in Al- 
bany. Though a Yankee born, you, sons of Dutchmen, loved 
him as your own blood. After five years of faithful labor, in 
which among other good things, he taught you to double your 
contributions to benevolence and be all the ha])pier for it, he 
left you to become the Professor and College President he was 
born to be. Whether before a congregation, a college class of 
students, a conclave of Japanese statesmen, of Hindoo pundits, 
or United States Congressman, he incarnates the best principles 
of Christianity, liberal scholarship, and American institutions. 
Long life and God's blessing to Julius Seelye. 

Our fourteenth pastor, Edward Eli Seelye, was a graduate of 
Union College, and received two calls to this church, the latter 
of which he accepted. He was installed Nov. 1st, 1858, and 
after serving three years in the old brick church, saw its destruc- 
tion, and then applied himself with the consistory and people to 
a delicate and arduous task, that of erecting this splendid edifice. 

He lived to see the glorious dream of that poet-architect, 
Edward Tuckerman Potter, actualized in stone and wood. Nor 
must we ever forget that this splendid cathedral, in which 18 
bishops of the New Testament sort have had their seats, was 



THE SERMON. 



51 



h;;;;^^^^l7^ii^^^^ ^'-^"^-^^^ ^^ ^ perfection under the 
s^e'inLdenc: of Casper F. Hoag and Martin DeForest wjth 
the other members of the Building Committee. Theonlyfaul I 
find in the details, is that a meaningless arrow was put upon the 
m.ire instead of that emblem which historically behts a Dutch 
church as it does none other, the cock of St. Nicholas the sym- 
bol of life and resurrection, of the soul greeting the dawn light 
of heaven after the night and darkness of death. After preacl- 
incr the dedication sermon, and enjoying for one year the mspir- 
in" beauty of this church, he was stricken down with the only 
sic'kness of his life, and died in August, 1864. A mighty soldier 
of God in the pulpit, powerful with pen and presence, he was 
the man for the crisis through which this church was called to 
nass He made sinners tremble and saints rejoice. His mem- 
or7is honored among you, nor will the remembrance ot his 
ruo-ged strength alike of intellect and physical frame, and of his 
kindly heart,^soon fade from among yon. Like seyen other pas- 
tors of this hurch,Tassemaker, Brouwer, Van Santyoord, Vroo- 
man Romevn, Meier and Bogardus, he died at his post with the 
harness on. ' He loyed God, and never feared the face of man 

Of our fifteenth minister, Denis Wortman, need I speak to 
you who love him so ? Of his gentle life, his pure example, his 
oyinc^ heart and sj-mpathetic nature ? No. I have no need. 
hIs memory is yet fresh in your minds, and he himself will be 
with us in the flesh and spirit also to-morrow evening. God 
bless the o-entle and the genial christian Denis \\ oilman 

Nor does the spirit of this hour, dedicated as it is to the past, 
allow me to speak at length of another living pastor of the 
church, the Rev. Ashbel G. Vermilye. All the other pastors of 
th'church, except Julius Seelye, were of Hollaiid birth or de- 
cL. Our sixteenth pastor represented " The Hugenot Eenien 
in theReformed Church," whounder the protection of our fatheis 
sought refuge and freedom in America with them. Like Vroo- 
man and Romeyn, his tall and commandmg form was seen as 
that of a leader and counsellor m Classis or Synod. He was 
always willing and ready to do routine legislative work, from 
which most pastors shrink. After five years m Schenectady he 
resigned, and accepted the charge of the American chapel at 
Antwerp, in which field he has been eminently successful. He 
hasTent isaletterof love and congratulation which we shall 



52 THE SERMON. 



read to-morrow night. The next pastor whom you called is 
perhaps the only one of the eighteen ever installed within the 
church edifice. 

" And what shall I more say f Is it necessary, it this inspir- 
ing hour, to enter into details concerning that which hath been 
accomplished in the centuries flown? Of the 12,000 children 
baptized by our pastors here, since the first child born in the for- 
tified village was presented at the baptism al font ? The rose- 
buds that transfigure before us the silver bowl are not so numer- 
ous as the invited children of the Saviour, who have lived and 
died within our pale. Shall I recount the 3,000 couples who 
hand in ha;id, before God and their pastors, have plighted their 
love to each other, and their faith in God? Let this bell to-day 
with its bloom aiid fragrance vibrate afresh the sweet memories of 
our own pa^t lives, who have received the nuptial benediction, and 
let it awake to our imagination the throng of happy lives and 
homes lighted by connubial love, which glow like living pic- 
tures, in the past. 

Need I speak in detail of the 3,500 members who made their 
vows and consecration, and have sat with joyful hearts at the 
sacramental table ? Shall I tell of the rapture of communion en- 
joyed in Christ's banqueting-house, by those who have dwelt 
under his banner of love ? Let this hour-glass, fashioned as it 
is out of daisies, tell us alike of the daisies that have bloomed on 
the graves of those who sleep in Christ, and of the golden hours 
of love and gladness spent by them in the house of God. Already 
we have called up from the past the five edifices, and the eigh- 
teen pastors who have served this church. Shall I narrate how 
seven colonies went out from this church to become the Classis 
of Schenectady ; or, again, how Union College was born of and 
nourished by her? Shall I conjecture that her wealth spent 
for congregational purposes probably amounts to $600,000, and 
that her benevolent contributions equal perhai»s $100,000? 
Shall I remind you, to show you that the church still lives in 
strength, of her two Mission Schools on Prospect hill and Water 
Street? Or, of her four hundred members, her well atten- 
ded devotional meetings, and her active Sabbath schools. ? 

It is not on these we dwell to-day, nor of these do we make 
boast. Not unto us be the gloiy ! If we have aught of joys to- 
day, this is our chief ; that, supreme above all, Ave have for two 



THE SERMON. 



53 



centuries preached and believed in " Jesus, the saviour of men." 
Withal of human infirmity, shortcoming and loss, we yet believe 
that to our fathers from Holland, there was given of God 
as large a measure of truth, as was ever vouchsafed to any 
church or body of people called Christians. Fully assured of 
this, yet ever ready to receive truth, whether new or old, we 
enter upon our third century holding their faith as ours, and 
praying as they jjrayed : 

"The Lord our God be with us, 

As he was with our Fathers." 

Amen ! 




HISTORY OF THE CHURCH 



SOME FACTS 

KOR THE 
HISTOKY OK Till-; 



lUforiucti Iratcstant ilutrlj Cljurc 



— OF — 



Compiled by 
JONATHAN PEARSON, 

UNION COLLEGE. 



PREFACE. 



[Professor Pearson's manuscript is reprinted without alteration or suppres- 
sion of any part. The editor's notes are in brackets, and signed with his in- 
itials, w. E. G.] 

The following compilation is mainly original matter, never 
before published, — the result of several 5^ears research by the 
author among all sources of information within his knowledge. 
It contains the frame work of the history of the Reformed 
Protestant Dutch Church of Schenectady, based mainly 
upon cotemporaneous documents and void alike of tradition and 
sentiment. The above written name for this church though not 
the earliest, nor that by which the General Synod is now known, 
is used here, as being that given in the charter of 1734, and pre- 
venting all ambiguity. 

In 1715 this congregation was called the "Reformed Nether 
Dutch Church,"— in 1727 the "Nether Dutch Reformed 
Church," or '■'■Nederduytse gereformeerde gemynte, and more sim- 
ply the "Dutch Church." 

The authorities consulted in the preparation of this work were 
mainly the papers preserved in the "Deacon's chest," and the 
other church records. The Doop and Trouio books begin in 
1694 ; the earlier registers were doubtless destroyed in 1690, in 
Domine Thesschenmaecker's house. 

The treasurer's accounts go back a few years earlier, but are 
imperfect. 

Tlie consistorial minutes were not regularly kept until 1784, 
when Doctor D. Romeyn became minister of the church. They 
were written in the Doctor's fair hand, in the Dutch language, 
until nearly 1890, afterwards in English. The great mass of the 
older papers consist mainly of land leases, long since cancelled ; 
nothing like a historical sketch exists, and no recognition of the 
hundreth anniversary of the organization of the church is to be 
found. The earliest recorded eifort to w^rite a historical narra- 
tive of the church was made in consistory, Jan. 1, 1806, Avhen 
Messrs. Cornelius Van Santvoord and Joseph C. Yates were 
appointed a committee to prei:»are for the use of the " Classis an 
accurate account of the organization, original and present mem- 
bers, remarkable events and everything important respecting 
this church." This late attempt was probably never carried out. 



56 PREFACE. 



At a later date, Jan. 12, 1813, the consistory directed Abra- 
ham Oothout, Maus Van Yranken and the Secretary, (Isaac De- 
Graaf,) " to examine the papers contained in the old box belong- 
ing to this board, and to destroy all such papei's as they may 
deem useless !" What possible use could be made of those old 
papers Avritten in the illegible chirography of the seventeenth 
century and in a tongue then almost dead ? 

Who can tell how much of the early history of this church 
perished in this examination ? Strange as it may seem the name 
of the donor of one of the best estates early and longest held by 
this church, to wit, the " Poor Pasture," is entirely unknown to 
this generation.* Governor Lovelace's patent for the same once 
known to be in the " old box," with other '"' useless papers," has 
perished. The book of records kei)t by Ludovicus Cobes, notary 
and secretai-y of the village in 1G77, in which were written the 
deeds, wills, marriages contracts, etc., of that date was among 
the church papers until near the close of the last century, but is 
no longer to be found. 

Whether it was destroyed, with other unreadable and there- 
fore useless papers, by the committee appointed for that purj^ose 
in 1813 no one can tell. Suffice it to say that few and scanty 
are the trustworthy records of the past. Old wives' fables and 
traditions, often false and lying, the author has rejected, unless 
corroborated by contemporary written documents. 

The established church of Xew Netherland was that of Hol- 
land, founded upon the principles propounded by the Synod of 
Dort, in 1618 and 1619. For some years the intrusion of other 
sects was tolerated, but during Stuyvesant's administration an 
attempt was made to suppress dissent and several persons were 
imprisoned and banished the Province for their contumacy. The 
matter went so far that the Directors in Amsterdam were com- 
pelled to interfere, and a dispatch dated April 16th, 1663, ad- 
ministered the following rebuke : " In the youth of your 
existence you ought rather to encourage than check the popula- 
tion of the colony. The consciences of men ought to be free 
and unshackeled so long as they continue moderate, peaceable, 
inoffensive and not hostile to the Government. Such have been 
the maxims of pnidence and toleration by which the magistrates 
of this city have been governed ; and the consequences have been 
that the oppressed and persecuted from every country have 
found among us an asylum from distress. Follow in the same 
steps and you will be blessed." 

Persecution afterwards ceased, but the wrongs already com- 
mitted were not easily forgotten. 

♦This was written before the bi-centennial anniversary, See the tablet in 
the church. 



HISTORY OFTH E CHURCH. 



CHAPTER I. 

SETTLEMENT OF THE VILLAGE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH 

In the spring of 1662 Areiit Van Curler, late superintendent 
of Rensselaerswyck, with a little band of colonists, started from 
Beverwyck (now Albany) to take up the " Great Flatt " and 
found the present town of Schenectady. The wide plain lying 
between these two towns was then an unbroken forest without a 
road. They traveled first westward luitil the Norman's Kill Avas^ 
reached, then struck northward, following the Indian trail of 
" blazed " ti'ees. After a circuit of more than twenty miles they 
reached the seat of their future labors. The year preceding, 
their leader had obtained from the Mohawks, title for a village 
site and tlie fine arable land lying west and north of it. This 
little com})any consisted of the following fifteen persons : 
Arent Van Curler, Sander Leendertse Gleen, 

Philip Hendricks Brouwer, Teunis Cornelise Swart. 

Marten Cornelise Van Esselstyn, William Teller, 
Catalyntje De Vas, widow ofPieter Jacobse Borsbooue, de 

Arent Andriese Bratt, Steenbackker, 

Pieter Danielse Van Olinda, Jan Barentse Wemp, 
Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck, Gerrit Bancker, 
Symon Volkerts Veeder, de Pieter Adriaense, alias, Soege- 

Bakker, makelyk, 

Harmen Albertse Vedder. 

The greater portion of the flats and islands lying immediately 
west and north of Schenectady was allotted to these fifteen in- 
dividuals, excepting P. D. Van Olinda, who had farming lands 
in Niskayuna and elsewhere. For greater security against floods 
and Indians their home lots were laid out together, upon that 
portion of the present city lying west of Ferry street, and the 
whole plot was surrounded Avith palisades. 



58 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

Within a few years after the settlement was begun material 
changes had been made in the ownership of these lots ; some of 
the first settlers died, others removed and new ones took their 
places ; of whom the most prominent were the following : 
Claas Frederickse Van Petten, Christiaan Chtistiaanse, 
Cornells Cornelise Viele, Hans Janse Eenkluys 

Hendrick Meese Vrooman, Jan Pieters Mebie, 

Claas Lourense Van der Volgen, Daniel Janse Van Antwerpen, 
Isaac Cornelise Swits, Carel Honse Toll, 

Elias Van Guysling, Claas Andriese DeGraaf, . 

Ryer Jacobse Schermerhorn, Robert Yates, 
Sweer Teunise Van Velsen, Isaac Du Trieux (Truax), 
Jacobus Peeck, Joris Aertse Vander Boast, 

Jellis Van Norst, Reynier Schaets, 

Jan Van Epps, Douw Aukes De Vrees, 

Ludovicus Cobes, Jellis Fonda, 

Bastiaen De Winter, Symon Groot, 

Philip Philipse DeMore, Jan Janse Jancker, alias, 

Johannes Pieterse Quackenbos, Van Rotterdam, 
De. Petrus Thesschenmaecker, Frans Harmense VanderBogart, 
De. Barnhardus Freerman, Dr. Jacobus Van Dyck, 

Jonatan Stevens, Caleb Beck, 

William Hall, Barent Janse Van Ditmars, 

Frederick Clute, Daniel Kettelhuyn, 

Gtrrit Ryckse Van Vranken, Johannes Kleyn, 
Ahasuerus Marselis, David Marinas, 

Johannes Myndertse, Pieter Ouderkirk, 

Manasseh Sixberry, Johannes Pootman, 

Gysbert Van Brakelen. 

Most of these are familiar names in Schenectady to this day ; 
nearly all have been perpetuated in their descendants. They 
are chiefiy of Holland origin ; indeed down to the middle of the 
last century Schenectady was almost purely Dutch. Being a 
border settlement its growth was iiecessarily slow. To the ordi- 
nary hardships of a frontier life were added the almost constant 
alarms created by the long French and Indian wars and the 
oppressive trade regulations, by which all traftic in fiirs with the 
natives was prohibited to the inhabitants of Schenectady and 
appropriated by those of Albany. With such discouragement, 
it is a wonder that Schenectady gained in po})ulation at all ; and 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 59 

that the spot was not abandoned altogether, especially after that 
sad destruction of life and property on the 8th and 9th of Feb- 
ruary, 1690. 

Few or no accessions were made to the miserable remnant 
who survived that fatal night, until after the peace of Ryswick, 
in 1697, and it is probable that at no time previous to 1700, did 
the population exceed two hundred and tifty souls. 

The first settlers of Schenectady were chiefly citizens of Al- 
bany ; in transferring their residence to the former town many 
still retained their houses in the latter. Indeed, vSchenectady 
was but a distant suburb of Albany, settled by her own children, 
and closel}' connected wdth her by ties of family and intermar- 
riage. jSTot only was Albany the headquarters for trade in this 
part of the Province, but she was also the seat of the higher 
judicial court and of the mothei- chm-ch. 

At the first settlement of Schenectady in 1662 there were but 
five Dutch churches and ministers in the Province, viz : those 
of 

New Amsterdam, whose ministers were \ Johannes Megapolensis. 

( bamuel Dris.us. 

Beverwyck (Albany), Gideon Schaets. 

Breuckelyn (Brooklyn) Henricus Selyns. 

Esopus (Kingston), Hermanns Bloom. 

Midwout and Amersfort (Flatbush, L. I.), Johannes T. Polhemus. 

Of these the church at Beverwyck, founded twenty years be- 
fore, A)^as the oldest in the Colony except that of New Amster- 
dam.** Her first Doniine (1642 to 1647), w^as Johannes Megapol- 
ensis who now ministered in Xew^ Amsterdam ; the second, Gid- 
eon Schaets (1652-1690). The latter probably assisted at the 
organization of the church at Schenectady, to which he occas- 
ionally ministered until his labors ceased in his own church in 
1690. 

The date and circumstances of this organization are involved 
in much obscurity, the early records of both churches being lost. 
But from occasional mention made in cotemporaneous papers 
and records it is safe to say that the church of Schenectady was 
in existence between the years 1670 and 1680 and probably ear- 
lier. Thus on the occasion of the death of Hans Janse Eenkluys, 

** [The Reformed Church in America was first organized by the Rev. 
Jonas Michaelius, inside the fort, at the lower end of what is now 
New York city, in 1628. It was called the church of Saint Nicholas. W. E. G.] 



60 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

in 1683, the deacons petition the court at Albany for letters of 
administration on his effects and say * « * ^/q,^ eenen Hans 
Janssen op den 7 meert 167 4-5 heeft overgedraegen aendt aermen 
van Schaenhechtade zeecke syne plantage, &c. c%c., in other M'ords 
that Hans Janse, in 1675, made over to the poor of Schenectady 
his plantation, on condition he should be maintained in his old 
age and weakness, which they say they have done, and paid 
the expenses of his burial. Now this plantage was simply the 
" Poor Pasture," and was the property of the church fi-om Een- 
kluy's time down to 1862, when it was sold. 

These facts seem to point to the existence of the church as 
early at 1674, for it is a well known fact that the Dutch churches 
were the guardians of the poor, the orphans, and the aged, who 
were without natural protectors ; and received and dispensed 
large alms and property for this purpose. 

The next incidental mention of this church is found in the 
records of the city of Albany. In February, 1679,- "the court 
and consii<tory of Schenectady request that Domifie Schaets may 
be sent four Sundays in one year to administer the Lord's supper 
to said place and community, which request is granted in so far 
that Domine Schaets is allowed to go four times in one year to 
administer the Holy Sacrament, but not on a Sunday, whereas it 
would be unjust to let the community [of Albany] be without 
preaching." * " 

Thirdly, The prospei'ous condition of the i>oor fund of the 
church from 1680 to 1690 shows pretty clearly that it had been 
organized some years previous to the former date. At the close 
of the year 1689 Domine Thesschenmaecker audited the Dea- 
cons' accounts and found that the unexpended alms contributed 
•for the poor amounted to about 4,000 guilders, of which about 
3,000 guilders had been loaned to individuals on bonds dating 
back in one case to 1681. Though the Dutch were a liberal 
people in matters appertaining to their church, it is not probable 
that such an accumulation of alms was made entii-ely within the 
ten years above mentioned, especially when their numbers are 
considered, and that in this time the parsonage house was con- 
structed and tlieii- first Domine was called and maintained. It 

* Annals of Albany, I, 103. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



61 



is fair therefore to conclude that the Dutch churcli of Schenec- 
tady was certainly an organized body in 1674, probably much 
earlier. 

The iirst twenty years of the village was a struggle with the 
hardships of frontier life ; its energies were spent in removing 
the forest and subduing the soil. For religious privileges it was 
dependent upon Albany ; until in 1683-4, when the little hamlet 
havinn" grown sufficiently strong in numbers and wealth, called 
its first minister. The eartiest mention of Domine Thesschen- 
maecker in the church records is found in a book of miscellane- 
ous writings, the first leaves of which unfortunately are wanting. 
The following is a copy and translation of the first page in its 
present mutilated condition : 



Uytgyeve. 



[1683 



aen Myndert Wemp, F. 48 
aen een kan, 8 

aen Jan Roelofsen voor * * 24 
5 Witte broden, 1 

aen domine Tassemaker * * 24 
aen emanual Consaul, 6 

aen Lubbert gysbertse voor 

2 dagen Wercke, 6 

,aea spyckers van Albanie, 6 
aen den ^ dusent harde steen, 1 8 
aen 2 bevers aedLaseysers 

tot set buys tepingelen, 48 
aen 12 gulden aen * * voor 

stacken en * * ver ver- 

bruyck aen de heyminge, 12 
27 april voor wyn tot het 

naght mael aen domine 

tasschenmaker betalt, 20 

27 May domine Schats 

Vercert, 36 

Schoonmaken van der 

Kerche, 1 3 

* * « * * ,110 

* * * * * .^_ 

* * * * * 2.10 
hat naght 

20. 



Voor wyn 
mael, 



(Translation). 
Expenditures. [1683?] 

[Paid.] 
To Myndert Wemp, guilders. 
To [paid for] a pot, 
To Jan Roelofsen, for * * 
To 5 white loaves. 
To domine Tassemaker * * 
To Emanual Consaul, 
To Lubbertse Gysbertse for 

two days work. 
To nails from Albany, 
To half thousand hard bricks. 
To two beavers to Laseysers 

shingling the house, * 
To 12 guilders * * for stakes 

* * for use of the 

fence, 
27 April, For wine for the 

Lord's supper paid to 

Domine tasschenmaker, 20 
27 May, presented to 

Domine Schaets, 36 



12 



cleaning the church, 
* * * * 



13 
1.10 



2.10 



For wine for 
su})per. 



the LordV 



20. 



'Parsonage house. 



62 



HISTORY OP^ THE CHFRC H. 



aen Adam Vroom, 
uogh aen domine tassche- 

maker vooit maken 

vande hayuinge aen 

het erf, 
nogh voor 7 meal witte 

broot tot het avent mael 

C. F. 1.10 a meal, 
Claas perniurent aen 

dagen ryden, 
2f dagen aen de heyninge, 
Voorts singelen van 't 

huys, 
aen 2 Vragsten posten- 

gasacht, 
2 cflass Ramen, 



24. 



45. 



10.10 



24. 



To Adam Vrooman, 
Also to Domine tassehe- 
maker for making the 
fence to the lot, 
Also for white bread 7 
times for the Lord's 
supper C. F. 1.10 a time 10.10 
Claas Pui-merent [Van 
der Volgen] one day cart- 
ing, 
2f days on the fence, 



45. t 



18. 
22. 



for shingling the house J 12 

To two loads of posts sawed 6 
2 glass windows, 10 



Somma, F. 516-13* Total, florins 516-13 

From these accounts we learn the following facts : 

1. That Domine Thesschenmaecker came to Schenectady be- 
fore the death of Domine Schaets (1690). 

2. That the first house of worship was then built. 

3. That the consistory this year (1683?), was building a par- 
sonage house and fencing the lot. For although it is not stated 
that 't huys was for the Domine's use, we can hardly conceive of 
his being engaged in building, and the church in paying for, a 
dwelling for any other person. 

Of the five houses of worship built b}- this church, the one 
above-mentioned was the first. We know little about it except 
that it was small and inconvenient — too small indeed for the 
few worshippers in 1701, || and that it stood at the junction of 
Church, State and Water streets. After the massacre of 1690 



fParsonage lot. 

X Parsonage house on the present church lot. 

* The money of accounts of the Dutch was the guilder or florin and stuyver, 
2o of the latter to one of the former. There were the guilder sewant and 
the guilder beaver /—the latter of the value of about 40 cts., or three times 
that of the former. The guilder of accounts was commonly valued at one 
shilling N. Y. currency. 

II In a petition to Governor Nanfan, in 1701, for aid in erecting a new house 
of public worship they say : — "the place where itt is now Exercised in nott 
bein Large Enough to containe the whole assemply oft ye Inhabitants & In- 
dian Proselytes," &c. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 63 

it was also used as a block-house * and like the dwellings of the 
village was probably built of M^ood. It has usually been as- 
sumed that this church was burned by the French and Indians, 
but of the truth of this tradition there is no proof. 

The parsonage lot, now the church site (excepring 56 feet 
added to the east side at later dates), was used as such 1 50 years 
down to 1813. The original dimensions were 100 by 200 feet, 
Amsterchim measure, j and it has been in possession of the 
church from the time of its organization. The house erected 
upon it for Domine Thesschenmaecker, who was an unmarried 
man, must have been of humble dimensions judging from the 
number and cost of the •' glass Ramen " purchased for it in the 
above account. It became the funeral pile of its first occupant 
when the village was burned in 1690. 



CHAPTER II. 

1684-1690. uo.MixE petrus thesschenmaecker. 

Domine Thesschenmaecker % is best known for his tragical end. 
He came to this country from Guiana whither he had gone from 
Utrecht, a young theological student, || and is first mentioned in 
the following petition of date 1676. 

To the Rt. Honoral^ Sr. Edmond Andrus Kt. of Sauemares : 
under his Royall Highness Duke of Yorke and Albany and 
dependances : The humble petition of Seuerall of the In- 
habittanse of Eso|)us humbly shewith unto yo"" Honor, 

Whereas this place is destitute of a minister for the In- 
struction of the people : It is our Ernest desiar and humble 
request with all Submission that yo*" Hono"" will be pleased 
to be aiding and assisting in the procuring one for us that 
can preache both Inglish and Duche, weich will be most 
fitting for this place, it being in its minoi-ity and having 
great charges is not very able to maintaine two ministares ; 

* In an ancient deed dated 1692 it is called " V blokJmys {te zoeten de kerche). " 
+ The Amsterdam foot consisted of about 11 in. English. 
X The abbreviated form of his name, Tassemaker, we have used in the his - 
torical discourse, and on the tablet erected in the church, [w. E. G.J 
II Hist. Mag. IX, 323. 



64 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

nether to be at the charge of sending for one out of Eng- 
land or Holland ; and we are Informed Mr. Peettar Taset- 
makr is at liberty, who is a person well knowne to yo^ 
Hon>" and officiated in this [place] for sura time ; And if to 
bee procured, is very well approved and much desired by 
moste, hee being a man of Sober life and conversacon hav- 
ing Deportted himselfe to sattisfaction of ye Inhabitance, — 
Wherefor wee Humbly pray that your honor will bee 
pleaseb to bee Instrumentall in the same and yo'" Hono'^ 
humble Petticeners shall ever pray, &c.* 
This appears to be a sufficient certificate of his fitness for the 
sacred office, but whether he returned to Esopus on this flatter- 
ing call is not known. It appears that at this time he had not 
been ordained, for in 1679 on application from New-Castle, on 
the Delaware, the Governor in the following warrant directed 
Domine Newenhuysen to examine and induct him into the min- 
istry of the Protestant Reformed Church. Probably he was 
then a resident of Staten Island. 

To THE CONSTABT.E OF StaTEN ISLANl). 

Sr Edmond Andros Kt. d-c. : 

Upon ap])lication from Xew-Castle in Delaware, That (being- 
destitute) Mr. Peter Teschenniaecker may bee admitted to bee 
their Minister, By Vertue of his maj'ti^s I^etters patents and Au- 
thoritie derived unto me, I doe hereby desire and Authorise you, 
to examine the said Mr. Teschenniaecker and if you shall find 
fittly Qualifyed that then you ordain e him into the ministry of 
the Protestant Reformed Church to preach God's word and Ad- 
minister his Holy sacraments and give him Testimonialls there- 
of as is usuall. 

Given under my hand and scale of the Province in New 
Yorke the thirteenth day of Se])tember in the 31st yeare of his 
]\jj^ties Uaigne Annoq Domini 1679. 

To Mr. Gulielmus ^ E. A. 

Newenhuysen min- 
istr or pastor of this 
Citie or any three 
or more of the minis- 
t'"^ or Pastors within 
this Government. 

Prepared and examined by mee, 

Matthias Nicoi.ls, Sec""- 

*Doc. Hist. Ill, 583. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



65 



In two respects this was an unusual proceeding. First in 
that the Provincial Governor, though empowered by royal let- 
ters patent to license and collate ministers of the gospel, should 
exercise this right, especially in the Dutch churches ; and, second- 
ly that a minister of this church should be ordained in this coun- 
try Almost to the middle of the last century it was thought 
indespensable that a theological education and licensure should 
be obtained abroad. This together with the subjection to the 
authority of the Classis of Amsterdam, formed the subject mat- 
ter of the oreat controversy which agitated the church for more 
than thirty years until united in 1771 through the efforts of Dr. 
John H. Livingston. 

In accordance with Governor Andros' order of warrant, above 
cited, "Domine Schaets, of Albany, Domhie Van Zuuren, of 
Long Island, and Domine Van Gaasbeeck, of Esopus, met with 
Domine Van Nieuwenhuysen, at New York, and formed them- 
selves into a Classis, composed of all the Dutch ministers within 
the Province with members of their consistories." 

" The following is a translation of the original record of the 
first Dutch Classis ever held in North America : 
- Copy of the acts done in our meeting at New York the 9th of 
October, 1679, in the matter of Domine Fetrus Tesschenmaecker. 
" On this day, the 9th of October, 1679, was handed in a call 
of a minister for the congregation of the South [Delaware] 
River, which calling has fallen on the person of Domine Petrus 
Tesschenmaecker, a candidate for the sacred ministry. 

"But considering that this matter is without example m this 
Government, the Low Dutch ministers who are here, on the 
request of the Honorable Knight, Governor Edmund Andrus 
and on the exhibition of the iestimonia examims preparaiorn ot 
the aforesaid Domine Petrus Tesschenmaecker (written by the 
Dutch and English consistories at tne Hague), having been con- 
tent (considering likewise the distress of the above named re- 
spective congregation), to confinn and consecrate this candidate 
to the office of the ministry there. 

"And because before all, it is necessary that an Overseer 
(apziendar) shouuld be proved, so the Reverend Assembly, con- 
sistino- of the Low Dutch clergyman of this Government, to- 
o-ethe? with other Ecclesiastical persons, approved as good the 



9 



66 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

aforesaid attestation exami^is preparatorii witiiout S2)ecial opi^o- 
sition ; and it was resolved to proceed to the jjromotie itself." 

" Thereupon Domine Tesschenmaecker being summoned with- 
in was acquainted with this approbation of the Reverend assem- 
bly, and was further asked, whether he accepted this calling, to 
serve in the same according to the ecclesiastical orders of the 
Reformed Synod of Dordrecht and other special instructions, 
and would also promise conformity to the said orders. The an 
swer was "yes," undertaking and binding himself to observe 
the same." 

" This being done, Domine Tesschenmacker was tirst heard in 
his propositie ui)on the text Matt. 5: 20„ the treatment of which 
gave the Reverend Assembly sufficient satisfaction." 

" Thereupon the Reverend Assembly addressed itself to the 
examination, having appointed as examinator Domine Wilhelm- 
us Van Nieuwenhuysen, minister of the Holy Gospel in the 
Metropolis of the Government of New York." 

" The examination being sustained the Reverend Assembly 
was likewise contented with the answers of Domine Tesschen- 
maecker, so that finally, the confirmation accorded to our church 
order and formulary followed hereupon, in the name of the 
Lord." Signed, 

'' Caspar}/^ Van Zureren. 
minister in Long Island, 
Conventiis pro tempore Scriba." 

"These interesting documents were sent to the Classis of 
Amsterdam in a joint letter signed by the four Dutch clergy- 
men in New York. In that letter they rely on Governor An- 
dros' authorization as the justification of their action, which they 
declared was " in all respects conformable to praiseworthy 
usuage and order of the church in the Fatherland (to the up- 
holding of which we have also obliged him by promises and the 
giving of hands as wee ourselves Avere obliged thereto by your 
Reverences), there having yet further come to us excellent testi- 
monials of the deportment and preaching of Domine Teschen- 
maecker, signed by the Consistories of the Low Dutch and Eng- 
lish congregations in the Hague ; and he himself (examinandus 
candidatus) exhibiting very good and proper gifts as in his joro- 
positis so in his answers, to the complete satisfaction of all the 
members of our Assembly." 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 67 

"The Classis of Amsterdam afterwards approved this action 
and of the settlement of Doraine Tesschenmaecker at the Dela- 
AA-are, where, however, he remained but a short time. In the 
winter of 1682, he preached on Staten Island, and in 1684 he 
was called to the chm-ch in Schenectady." * 

After his ordination Domine Thesschenmaecker departed im- 
mediately for his new iield of labors ; for November 20th, fol- 
lowing, he received a patent f for a lot of land at Ncav Castle, 
300 by 480 feet, respecting which the Colonial Secretary received 
a letter; dated January 17th, 1679-80, promising liis fee of 40 
shillings in wheat. 

Here he remained three years until 1682, '"when in conse- 
quence of some disagreement with his congregation he. left and 
accepted a call from Schenectady." || 

In the latter place he labored six years Avith reasonable success : 
and in spite of the distant mutterings of war between Britain 
and France the little community grew in mimbers and wealth. 
The virgin soil of the neighboring Flats and islands yielded 
abundantly, and the population, gaining confidence, ventured 
beyond the palisades of the village and gradually crej^t up the 
Mohawk river, occupying the fertile lands on either bank. 

It was while resting in fancied security that the place was sur- 
prised, on the 8th day of February, 1690, and totally destroyed. 
Approaching the place at midnight the French and Indians 
found the gates oj^en, the guards withdrawn, and the village in 
profound slumber. The work of destruction commenced under 
such favorable circumstances was soon completed ; — day dawned 
upon a ghastly scene, — the labors of thirty years in ashes, — sixty 
of the inhabitants slain, — twenty-eight captives selected for the 
long winter march to Canada, — and the miserable remnant, 
wounded and frost-bitten, painfully seeking relief in flight tt>- 
wards Albany. The French commander had ordered his men 

* Hist. Mag., IX: 325-6. 

t Patents IV. 90? 

X " De. Tesschenmaecker hath promised to make satisfactory in ye Spring 
for ye patient and ye other wrytings, 40 shillings in wheat, as by yorself de- 
manded, wh I think is soe reasonable as can be considering ye trouble wh to 
my knowledge yrself had in gt buisnesse." Eph. Herman to Matthias NicolL 
— Alb. Records, Jan. 17, 1679-80. 

Jl Anthology of New Netherlands, p. loo-i. 



68 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



to spare the life of the elergymaii, but his savage allies knew no 
difference between minister and people ; — he was slain and 
burned in -his house. * 

Domine Thesschenmaecker left no heirs. A farm of " eighty 
acres and a proportional quantity of meadow ground " granted 
to him 3 Nov. 1685, on the south side of Staten island,t was 
claimed by the inhabitants of Richmond county as a poor fund. X 

For seven years from this sad event, till the peace of Ryswick 
in 1697, there was no safety North and West of Albany outside 
of the foi'tifications. Many forsook their plantations and sought 
places of greater security, and it is a matter of surprise that the 
hardy pioneers of Schenectady clung to the soil in the midst of 
such discouragements. It argues well for their ])luck and en- 
durance. 

Until 1700 the church was without a pastor, and indeed it 
does not appear that the people had any religious privileges, ex- 
cept such as might be had by a visit to Albany, until 1694, when 
Domine Dellius began to minister to them occasionally. His 
first recorded visits this year were on the 11th of April and 9th 
of October, on which occasions new members were added to the 
church and children baptized. In 1695 he came four times, viz : 
on the 2d Jan., 27th Mar., 26th June and 9th October. In 1696 
five times— Jan. 8th, Ap. 15. July 1, Sept. 19th and Dec. 30th. 
In 1697 three times — Ap. 6th. June 30th, and Nov. 10, and in 
1698 four times— 27th Ap. 20 July, 19th Oct., and 28th Dec. 
In all eighteen visits in five years. 

In 1699 Domine Dellius returned to the Fatherland and Do- 
mine Johannes Petrus Nucella succeeding to his place as minis- 

* " Dom. Petrus Tesschenmaker the minister at Schenectady has met with 
misfortune. He and most of his congregatoin were surprised at night and 
massacred by the French and Indians in their interest. His head was cloven 
open and his body burned to the shoulder-blades." Domine Selyns to the 
Classis of Amsterdam. Anthology of New Netherland, p. Ii6. 

t Patents, IV, 902. 

X 1692, 2 Nov. Upon reading Anoyr Peticon of the sd Representatives [of 
the county of Richmond] setting forth that Mr. Tuscheniaker having some 
reall and personall Estate in Staten Island was killed by the French and In- 
dians at Schenectady and in his lifetime had promised the sd Estate to the 
Poor haveing noe heirs, praying an order for the some. 

The sd Peticon is likewise referred to the Attorney Generall who is to re- 
port what may be proper therein to be done. Leg. Council, 4, 28. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 69 

ter of Albany, visited Schenectady once — on the 31st of August. 
The following year he came twice, viz : on the 9th January and 
25th May. 

The number of members added to the church by these two 
ministers was twenty -five ; the number of children baptized sev- 
enty-six, seven of whom were Indians. 

Taking into consideration, therefore, the fact that at this time 
all children were christened, some idea may be formed of the 
number and increase of the population when only sixty-nine were 
baptized in six years. 

During the same period five couples were maried by Domine 
Dellius and seven by Johannes Glen, " Justis Van de peace.'' 

But no sooner was peace proclaimed in 1697 than both village 
and church began a new career of prosperity. Within five years 
a second minister was called, and a ncM' and larger house of 
worship was erected. 



CHAPTER I[I. 

1700-5. DOMINE BARNARDUS FREEMAN,* SECOND MINISTER OF 
THE CHURCH AND MISSIONARY TO THE MOHAWKS. 

When Domine Dellius returned to Holland in 1693, his church 
gave him leave of adsence for ten months, but subsequently 
commissioned William Bancker and others of Amsterdam to 
procure another minister in case he remained beyond that time. 

This commission was in the following words : 
[translation]. 
Gentlemen : 

By Capt. Band on the 8th June was our previous [letter sent] 
to you with the accompanying instructions concerning the re- 
turn of Mr. Dellius, and hope it was [received] by you ; not 
doubting that you took careful thought that at the limited time 
then expressed it may be accomplished in a proper manner. Our 
fellow brother. Evert Bancker, has showns us certain writings 
of his brother [Willera] Bancker of Amsterdam to have a care 
* He sometimes wrote his name Freeman, but oftener Fre'erman. 



70 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

that the commission which should advance the call of a preacher 
may not limit him to the Reverend Classis of Amsterdam alone : 
— and now we understand from Messrs. Peter Van Beughn and 
Myndert Schuyler by another account how that last voyage a 
certain proper person was proposed by you for a preacher at 
New York, but afterwards the aforementioned Classis would not 
hear to it, and this gave you great dissatisfaction. If Domine 
Dellius does not give perfect assurance to you of his return here, 
Avell understanding that he must take ship from England in good 
time ; that is. within ten months after his departure from here, 
we desire whenever you can not come to an understanding with 
the aforementioned Classis, to serve yourself with such a Classis 
as you shall find convenient, hoping that you with De. Dellius, 
or in his absence by your own Godly and good conduct, may 
effect the accomplishment of our desire ; — that is a very proper 
person, rather a young man than a married, be he a Bachelor 
of Divinity, who is to be made a preacher, or one who is alreadj' 
a preacher, wnth needful gifts, just as it shall appear best ; and 
next summer may he come to us in love and unity to salvation, 
that God's churches may no longer remain waste without a 
teacher. 

Albany, 1699, Nov. 15. 

Messrs. 

Yours to serve : 
the elders and deacons of the Cliurch of Christ of Albany. 

ALBERT RYKEMAN, 
P. SCHUYLER, 
JACOB LOKERMANS. 
ANTHONY BRIES, 
JOHN CUYLER, 
EVERT BANCKER.* 

Messieurs : 

*Met Capt. Band op de 8 Juny oure voorgaende om Ul ; me doe by gaende 
Instruction wegens het verbreck van de heer dellius & verhope Ul ; syne tyd 
is ge worden nist twivelende dan Ul ; neempt soryvuldige agthinge dat tot de 
be paelse tyd doen maels geer presseertin geen derly manierxs mag tae ged- 
aen werde. Onse mede Broder Evert Bancker heef ons Vertoond Seker an- 
sclirivens van syn Brod ; Bancker van Amsterdam ; — om sorg to hebben dat 
de gecommittend (?) die het Bersopvan aen predicant sonden Vorderen niet 
mogte bepaelt syn alleen an de E. Classis van Amsterdam ; docliquam na oure 
verhael ho dat laeste Keis seker bequaem persoon doer Ul ; was Voergestel 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 71 

In the execution of the above commissian, William Bancker, 
being then in Amsterdam, selected Do Barnhaixhis Freerman, 
and on the 5th of March, 1700 gave him the following call: 

In accordance with the commission of the Consistory of Al- 
bany, of date the loth November, 1699, to me given, to .select 
for the church a proper person, either a pi'eacher or a student of 
theology, and after a proper qualification to send him over : — 
So it is that I, the subscriber, having observed the good and edi- 
fying conduct of Do Barent Freeman, Bachelor of Theology, to 
the same in the fear of God the aforewritten call have offered, 
to the end that his Reverence the church of Jesus Christ in Al- 
bany with the Hol}'^ Ministry may serve and upbuild, with the 
preaching of God's word upon the Lord's day, as also during the 
week, so far as it may be convenient ; also the Holy Sacraments 
to administer, the church discipline to exercise to edification, 
and in prayers to visit the sick to consolation, diligently to Cat- 
echise, and also four times a year, at the request of the Rever- 
end Consistory aforesaid, to preach at a village named Schenec- 
tady and administer the sacraments ; and to conduct himself in 
all other respects as God of his faithful servants requires as an 
example to the Church of Jesus Christ. All for a salary therein 
agreed upon. And seeing that the aforesaid Do Freeman this 

Voor predicant tot N. Yorke, Waer no de ge melde Classis niet wilde horen ; 
& dat suek Ul ; groot ouvergenoegs gap. Iiidien De. dellius niet geep Volk- 
ome nytslog aen Ul ; Wederkomste hier, Medt Verloop Van Voors ; tvdt uyt 
England weer scheep moet gaem ; dat is nae syn vertreek van hier binner tier 
maenden ; Versooke vvy wanneer Ul ; salgoed Vinden ; Verhopende Ul ; met 
de meer gemelde Classis niet konde over aen housen Ul ; salgoed Vinden ; 
— Verhopende Ul ; met Dellius ofin syn absentie gyl ; doer Godvrughtige 
yver en goed beleidt magh beschikke de overkomste van ouse Begere ; dat 
's een pray be^quaem persoon, liver een jong man als getrowt hetsy proponent 
die daer predikant werd gemaekt of selfs een peedikant, met nodige gowen 
SCO als het beste sail voorsalle ; en naest komende somer tyd by ons magh 
com»^ in liefee en enigheit tot salighat, op dat de K. K. godes niet langer 
sonder beroer magh verwoestan soo bliven. 

Albany 1699 Nov. 15. Messieurs. Ul ; Dienst wiUige. 

oud ; en diaconen der kerke Jesu Christe van Albany. 

ALBERT RYKEMAN, 
P. SCHUYLER, 
JACOB LOKERMANS, 
ANTONY BRIES, 
JOHOUNES CUYLER, 
EVERT BANCKER. 



72 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

above written call lias also in the fear of the Lord accepted, and 
it is now needful for the carrying out of the same that his Rev- 
erence should be further and immediately examined, and after 
the examination be ordained to Holy ministry with the laying 
on of hands. So we have requested the Reverend Brethren of 
the Reverend Chassis of Lingen that they would execute this 
Holy design, not doubting that such would redown to the glory 
of God's Holy name, and the upbuilding of Jesus' church there. 
Done in Amsterdam the 5th of March in the year 1700. 

WH.LIAM BANKER. * 

De. Freeman, the subject of the above call, was a man of ma- 
ture age, a native of Gilhuis in the county (Graafschap) of Ben- 
them. In 1698 lie was a member of the church of Amsterdam, 
and on the 9th of March of that year was licensed to preach by 
the Classes of Worden and Overrhynland. Immediately after 
the above call from the church of Albany, he was ordained by 
the Classis of Lingen (16tli March, 1700), and departed for his 

* Volgens de commissie Van de kerckenraedt van Albany var. datum den 5 
Nouember Anno 1699 aan my verleent our een bequaem persoon tsy predi- 
kant of proponent voor de kercke uyt te kiesen en na bahoorlyge qualificatie 
derwaerts over te senden. So its dat sch ondergeschevener Gelet hebbende 
op de Goede en stigtelyke gaven en bequaemheden als mede op het vroom en 
en Seer stigtelyk gedragh van De. Barent Freerman Proponent in de H. the- 
ologic den selven in de Vreezegods de voorschreven Beraepinge geoffersert 
hebbe, ten einde eyn Eerwaerde de Kerke Jesu Christi in Albuny, met den 
H. Predica-dienst en opbouwen met het predicken van Gon's woord op den 
dag des heren als ook in de week, soo als daes in gebruick is, ook de H. 
Sackramenten te Bedienen de Kercklvke discipline to t stigtinge te offenen en 
in de gebeden den Cranken te Besooken tot troost Catagesatic wel waer te 
nemen en ook viermael hoers op het versook van de Eerwaerde Kerckenraad 
voorz : of een dorp genaempt Schoneghtade te predicken en de Sackeraments 
te bedienen in alles Verder dat God van syne trouwe dienaers eyscht sich te 
gedragen als een voorbeelt der gemeente Jesu Christi alles op een tractament 
daer taestande en de wyle de vaer naemde de. Freeman dese voor-schrevens 
Berapinge ook in de vrese des heren heeft aengenomen, en nu nodig is dat tot 
uytooninge van deselve synd Eerwaerde verder perempoeir Geeramineert 
worde en na gedane examen in den H. dienst met oplegginge der handen 
worde Beverstight, soo versoeken wy de E. Bryderen van de E. classis van 
Lingen datoe liver dit H. Voornemen te achterolgen niet tweifelende ofoulks 
sal dienen tot groot mokinge van God's H. naem en opbouw van Jesu Kercke 
aldaer. 

Actum in Amsterdam 
den 5 Maart Anno 1700. WILLIAM BANKER. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. , 73 



distai.t charge accompanied by Do. Johannes Lyduis. On the 
■>Oth of Jiily they arrived in Albany where the latter remained, 
while the former passed on to Schenectady, and on the 18th com- 
menced his labors as pastor of the chm-ch and missionary to the 
Mohawks. His appointment to the latter oftice, brought about 
doubtless after his arrival in New York, furnishes a reason for 
the change in his destination. 

Domine Dellius had filled the same office many years, and 
both for political as well as religious reasons it was con- 
sidered important to continue so powerful an agency among the 

''In re'l^-d 'to this matter the Earl of Bellomont, Governor of 
the Provinces, said to theassembledSachemsof the Five Nations 
on the 26th of August, 1700. * * * " I have sent to Eng- 
land for ministers to instruct you in the true Christian re igion. 
I expect some. very soon ; for the present I shall settle Mr 
Yreemaii, an able good minister, at Schanectade, who 1 intend 
shall be one of those that shall be appointed to instruct you m 
the true faith. He will be near the Mohacks, and in your way 
as you came from [the] several castles to this town, [Albany,], 
and will take pains to teach you. He has promised me to apply 
•himself with all diligence to learn your language, and doubts 
not to be able to preach to you therein in a year's time." * 

In a communication to the Board of Trade the Governor says: 
" I send vour Lordships a copy of Mr. Freeman's Letter. He is 
the Dutch minister at Schenectady and a very good sort of a 

man. t 

The following is a copy of the letter referred to: 

Schenegtade the 6th Jan. 1700-1. 

May it please your Excellency. 

I have received your ExcelldB letter of the 15th NoV- 1700, 
whereby I understand that your Excell<=y was satisfied mth what 
I had done to promote the Gospel among the Indians, I shall 
also use my utmost to intreat them to be firm in the allegiance 
to His Maity and for as much as appears to me they are good 
subjects to His Majty whereof they desire me to give your 
Excell<=y an account. ^ 

* Col. Doc. IV. 727. 

+ CoL Doc. IV. 833. ^Q 



74 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

Your Excell<^y may remember that there are not above one 
hundred Maquasse in number, thirty-six whereof have embraced 
the Christian faith, ten whereof through the grace of God are 
brought over through my means, for I found but twenty six. 

I shall do my utmost with the rest. So wishing your Excell^y 
a happy new year and continuation of you health, recommend- 
ing myself to yonr favour, 

I remain, your 
Excell^ies most obedient Servant," 

B. FREERMAK* 

As Albany was the headquarters of Indian trade as well as 
of the yearly Council held with the Five Nations, De. Lydius 
was also appointed to instruct the natives in the Christian faith, 
and " ye bettar to enable him to serve them in ye work of the 
Gospell ye Interpretesse [Hillitie] j was appointed to be his as- 
sistant in that affair as formerly." ;{;*** 

In the five years spent at Schenectady De. Freeman became 
well versed in the Indian tongue so as not only to preach, but to 
write in it. In this he was assisted by the Provincial interpre- 
ter, Lawrens Claese (Van der Volgen), a member of his church. 
And so attached were the natives to him that five years after he 
left Schenectady they petitioned Governor Hunter for his reap- 
pointment, " and that he live [with us] at our Castle and not at 
Schimiectady nor Albany." || 

The condition of the Indian mission in 1710 is set forth in a 
letter by the Rev. Thomas Barclay to the Secretary of the So- 
ciety for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts : 

Alhany, Sept. 26, 1710. 
" Since the death of Mr. Lydias the Indians have no ministers ; 
there are about thirty communicants and of the Dutch church, 
but so ignorant and scandalous that they can scarce be computed 
Christians. The Sachems of the Five Nations, viz : of the 
Masque, Oneydas, Onnondagas, Coyougas and Senekas, at a 
meeting with our Governor, Col. Hunter, at Albany the 10th of 
August last, when his Excellency in his speech to them, asked 

* Col. Doc. IV. 835. 

t Hillite was a half-breed, — sister of jacques Cornelise Van Slyck. She 
married Pieter Danielse Van Olinda. 

J Lord Cornbury to the Five Nations, 1702. Col. Doc. IV. 983. 
II Col. Doc, V, 227. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



them if they were of the same mind with those four Indians 
that had been over with Col. Schuyler, in desiring missionaries 
to be sent, and they answered they were, and desired to have 
forts built among them and a church, and that Mr. Freeman, 
present minister of the Dutch congregation at Flatbush, near 
New York, -be one of those missionaries which the Queen i)rom- 
ised to send them. This Mr. Freeman five years ago was min- 
ister of Schenectady, and converted several of the Indians ; he 
lias acquired more skill in their language than any Dutch min- 
ister that has been in this country, and Mr. Dellius is not so 
well skilled in that tongue : a great part of our Liturgy he has 
translated into the Indian tongue ; in particular morning and 
evening prayers, the Ijtany, the Creed of St. Athanasius, &c., 
besides several places of the old and new Testament. He told 
me when he read to them the litany they were mightily affect- 
ed by it. He is a gentleman of good temper, and will affected 
to our church, and if there was a Bishop in this part of the 
world, would be persuaded to take Episcopal ordination. I 
often entreat hjm to go over to England, but he is afraid of 
the danger of the voyage, and his wife will not consent to live 
among the Indians. He has promised to give me his manu- 
script, and what he has done into the Indian tongue."* * * 

Probably this was the first attempt made to translate the 
church service, or portions of the Holy Scriptures into the lan- 
guage of the Mohawks. In addition to the morning and even- 
in<T prayers, De. Freeman translated "the whole of the Gospel 
of St. Matthew, the three first chapters of Genesis, several chap- 
ters of Exodus, a few of the Psalms, many portions of the Scrip- 
tures relating to the birth, passion, resurrection and ascension of 
our Lord, and several chapters of the first Epistle of the Corin- 
thians, particularly the fifteenth chapter, proving the resurrec- 
tion of the dead. But his work was not printed." f 

A copy having been presented to the " Society for the Propa- 
gation of the Gospel in Foreign parts," was given to their mis- 
sionary, Rev. William Andrews, who was sent out in 1712, and 
by him printed in New York two years afterwards. 

*Doc. Hist. Ill, 540. 
fCol. Doc. VIII, 815. 



76 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

The salary of the early ministers of this church was one hun- 
dred pounds New York currency ($250), house and garden rent 
free, pasturage for two cows and a horse, and sixty cords of 
wood delivered at the parsonage. The salary commenced from 
the day the Domine sailed from Holland and the expenses of the 
voyage until he arrived in Schenectady were paid by. the church. 
The following is De. Freeman's first bill, rendered August 25, 
1700: 

"16 mar. 1700 to 25 aug. the Consistory is indebted to Domine 
Freeman ; 

For current salary from the 16 march to the 25th of august, — 
is five months and nine days and amounts to a sum of fifty 
pounds and something more, — is in sewant, gl. 2.000 * 

Also expenses incurred on the voyage, in fresh provisions, 
wine, brandy, vegetables and hens, besides about three weeks 
expenses upon the Isle of Wiglit, — is the sum of gl. 374 

gl. 2.374 
Schenectady, 

BARNHARDITS FREERMAN. f 

The above bill shows that the expenses of the voyage were 
374 gl. ($46.75), and that the whole amount of salary and ex- 
penses was 2374 gl, or $296.75. t- 

Trifling as this amount may seem, the little community were 
unable to raise it, and on the 3d of Se})tember, 1700, applied to 
the Common Council of Albany for permission to solicit contri- 
butions in Albany. In reply the Commonality advise "that 

* Ano 1700 den i6martius tot 25 Augustus is de kerkenraat Debet an De. 
freeman 

Voor de rerlespon tractement vanden 16 maert tot 25 august is 5 maenden 
en 9 dagen en bedraegt een somme van fyftig pont en wat meer is an sew- 
ant. — 2,000 

t Noch ankostinge op Reise gehad so an Versche waren, wyn, Brandewyn, 
Creuderye en hoenden neffens omtrent dry weeke expences op het Eylant 
wigt is een som tot 374 

gl. 2.374 
Schonegtade 

BARNIIARDUS FREERMAN. 

[See Church Papers.] 
X This sum is exclusive of 800 gl, paid by the Albany church as part of the 
expenses of De. Freerman's passage. — Munsell's Collections, I, 53, 54. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 77 

they first goe and Visite there own Congregation, and if they do 
not obtaine said Sallary by them, then to make their application 
to the Commonality at ye next Court day." 

On the 21st of September the application was renewed, 
"Whereupon ye Commonalty have concluded and doe allow and 
admitt two or more of said Church wardens of Shinnechtady to 
goe once Round for contribution to use as aforesaid from ye 
inhabitants of this Citty and no more, in ye time of the Sessions, 
which will be first and second of October next ensuing." * 

When Do. Freeman was appointed missionary to the Indians 
by Governor Bellomont, he was promised a salary of £60 ; for 
expenses £15, and for the interpreter, Laurens Claese Van der 
Vol gen. who was his assistant £25. 

The Governor expected to obtain this salary from the Corpor- 
ation for the propagation of the Gospel at Boston, but in case he 
failed there, promised to secure it for him out of the revenue of 

the province.! 

It is presumed that said corporation declined to assume this 
burden, and as a consequence the General Assembly passed an 
Act in his favor. In a petition which Do. Freeman addressed to 
Governor Cornbury, in 1703, he affirms that "he has taken great 
pains in going to their [Mohawks] Castles and translating Di- 
vine things into their language for ye easier bringing ym over, 
and as he hopes with very good success ; for wh reason a con- 
tinuance of ve said salary was promised him by ye late Lief ten't- 
Governour, Capt. Nanfan, and confirmed to yr Petitioner by an 
act of Generall Assembly of this Province, wh said sal laries (tho' 
tis now two years since they were first settled) are unpaid, and 
no Warrants have yet past for any part thereof." t 

On the death of Do. Lupardus of Kings county, in 1702, the 
consistory of the Churches there applied to Governor Cornbury 
for permission to call Do. Freerman, |1 who at the same time 
gave encouragement of his acceptanc e. The Governor answered : 

* Albany City Records. . j i, i„„„ 

t Mr. Freerman vck veresoeck dat gyu de voor aen went om dc heydens 
tot het Kristen geloof over te brengen en tot gerhoorsaemheyt van be konn- 
ing gy suit geensins on beetaslt blyve. yck .al nu boston schryve die dispositse 
hebben van het corperasi gelt en yck Verspreeck ne 60 pous int yaer en so die 
van boston het wvgeren yck Versekere ne het yt de revenue van dese pro- 
vinci. etc.— Gov. Bellomonts Letter, Col. Ms 



J Col. Mss. XLIV, XLV, 134, i79 LIU 7. 7o. 
II Doc. Hist. Ill 89. 



78 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

" I have duly Considered the Within petition and having 
been well Informed that Mr. Bar. Ffreeman has misbehaved 
himself, by promoting and Encouraging the unhappy divisions 
among the people of this province, do not think it consistent 
with her Majesties Service that the s^ Ffreeman should be ad- 
mitted to be called as is prayed by s^ petition. And the petition- 
ers are hereby required not to call or receive the s^ Ffreeman."* 

Fearing their minister might be enticed away from them, the 
Consistory of the church in Schenectady the next year present- 
ed to Lord Cornbury the following i)etition : 

" The humble Petition of the Church Wardins of the Nether 
Dutch Church of the Town of Schoneghtede, sheweth : 

That the four severall towns to witt : Midwout or Flatbush, 
the Bay, New Utreght and Brockland, by their Certain writing 
doth IndeavourtoDrawMr. Barnardus Freema*n, Present Minister 
of Schoneghtende, from his Congregation, who are not able of 
themselves Without your Excellecy's assistance to gett another, 
and since we, your petitioners, have been att a great Charge and 
trouble with assistant thereunto from this County for Defraying 
the Considerable Charge of Mr. Barnardus Freeman's Passage 
and other Charges that doth amount to the Valiable summe of 
near upon Eighty Pounds, so that if the sd Mr. Barnardus Free- 
man should be Drawn from us, as they Indeavor to Doe, we 
could not Preted that such a small Congregation as we are can 
be able to Send for another, and they Who are of a greater Con- 
gregation could had another before this If they had not En- 
deavoured to Deprive us their neighbors ; therefore we, your 
Lordship's and Councill's Petitioners, h'umbly Pray that yr Lord- 
ship and Councill be Pleased to take this Our Great Case In 
Your Great Wisdom and Serious Consideration to give Such In- 
couragements to the Instructing of the Indians, that we may be 
more Enabeled to the Paying of his Salary and your Petitioners 
as In Duty Bound Shall ever Pray. 

Schoneghtende the 29th of May, 1703. 
Claes Wirbessen [Lawrense. Johannes Glenn, deacon. 
Vander Volgen] Elder. Isack Swits, elder. 

Daniel Jansen [Van. Jan Vrooman, elder. 

Antwerpen] deacon. Claes Vau Patten, deacon. 

Read in Council 24th June, 1703, and rejected, f 

*Doc. Hist. Ill, 89. 

+ Council Minutes. Doc. Hist. IH. 93. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 79 

Notwithstanding the above remonstance and the fact that 
many persons in the congregations in Kings county were disaf- 
fected towards him, he visited the Island and on the second of 
August 1703 accepted the call under certain conditions.* It 
was not, however, until the summer of 1705 that he finally left 
Schenectady for Flatbush. The license thus to change his pas- 
toral relations was granted by Governor Cornbury on the 26th 
of December of the same year. 

About this time Do. Vincentius Antonides, Avho had been 
called by the disaffected portion of the churches arrived from 
Holland, and the congregations were at once divided into two 
rival factions, who resisted all attempts at compromise for nine 
years. 

Finally, in 1714, peace was declared, and the two ministers 
henceforward acted together harmoniously as colleagues. 

Mr. Freeman was married on the 2oth of April, 1705, to Mar- 
garita, daughter of Capt. Goosen Gerritse Van Schaick, of Al- 
bany. They had but one child — Anna Margarita, who married 
her cousin, David Clarkson, son of Secretary Matthew Clarkson. 
He died in 1743, aged 83 years, t 

De. Freeman was a learned tlivihe. He wrote and published 
several works, among which were : 

* The Consistory of Flatbush adiressed a letter to that of Schenectady stat- 
ing that most of the congregation are in favor of sending to Holland for a 
minister and that only some "stiff heads" had enjoiaed them to make a call 
upon Do. Freeman. — Strong's Hist, of Flatbush, p. 88, and Joseph Hege- 
man's letter to Reyer Schermerhorn, 21 Dec. 1702. 

May 18, 1704, Do. Freeman made complaint to the Consistory of the church 
in Albany, that they of Boston had called him a heterodox and Anabaptisti- 
cal teacher ; and desired a certificate of his good character and preaching, 
which was accordingly granted. 

31 Oct., 1705, Do. Freeman appeared before the Consistory of Albany 
w'.th Barent Wemp and complained that the Consistory of Schenectady refused 
to give him a certificate of conduct, hoping thereby to keep him at Schenec- 
tady. — Albany Church Records. 

t A letter was written by Do. Freeman A p. 23, 1741, translated by Rev. 
Dr. DeWitt, with a preface, and published years ago in the Christian Intelli - 
gencer. Dr. DeWitt says, " he died at his residence in Flatbush at the good 
old age of 83 in 1743." Freeman says in this letter "I do not think that I 
in my advanced old age, reaching my 80th year, shall see the erection of a 
Coetus," &c. In a letter of Theodore J. Frelinghuysen, of date Jan. 12, 1743, 
he says, "so long as father Freeman lived," &c. If therefore, he died in 
1743, it must have been between Jan. ist and 12th. 



80 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



1. A volumiie of thirty sermons entitled, " Trials of Grace or 
the Balance," printed at Amsterdam, 1721, with a portrait, and 
dedicated to " the members of the church of Schenectady being 
my first congi'egation in this region." 

2. De Spiegel der self -kennis. 12*'- 

3. A defense against charges made in a pamphlet entitled, 
" The Complaints of the Nether Dutch Church in New Jersey of 
the acts of Theedore J. Frelinghuysen," 1726. \Q>°- * 

During his pastorate of five years in Schenectady he married 
forty one couples, of whom twenty were Indians. 

Two hundred and thirty-seven persons were baptized, among 
whom were one hundred and one natives ; and eighty-six white 
persons and fourteen adult Indian proselytes were added to the 
church on a profession of faith. As a prerequisite to baptism 
the adult Indians were required to accept and profess the twelve 
articles of faith, to forsake impiety and to love Godliness and 
promise to abide therein, j 



CHAPTER IV. 

1703-24. BUILDING OF THE SECOND CHURCH. DOMINE THOMAS 
BROWER THE TIHRD MINISTER. 

Soon after De. Freeman came to Schenectady, the house of 
worship then used was found to be too small for the accommo- 
dation of the inhabitants and Indian proselytes, but as the little 
community had not yet fully recovered from the effects of the 
late incursion of the French and their savage allies, the funds 
necessary for a new house could not be raised without aid from 

* Strong's Hist, of Flatbush, p. 88, and Henry Onderdonk, Esq. 

t Na dat sy de dwalf artikelen des geloofs hebben beleden an angenomen, 
den duyvelrye en godloosheden Versaekt, de godsaligheit bem int, en daer op 
belooft Volstauding te biiven en wee to beleven, dit gadaen vynde, so syn 
gedoopt in de kerk ogniondage, &c. 

First Church book, p. 134. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 81 

abroad. A petition therefore was presented to Governor Nan- 
fan, in 1701, asking permission to circulate a subscription 
throughout the Province for this purpose.* 

This petition being favorably received by the Governor and 
C'ouncil, on the 27th of October, 1701, he issued the following 
license to the inhabitants of Schenectady to receive cortributions 
from the people of the Province for the space of six months 
from that date, and directed all justices of the peace, schouts 
and other officers of his majesty as well as ministers of the Gos- 
pel to use their utmost endeavors to aid this laudible object. 

t " By the Honorable John Nanfan, Esq., Governor and Com- 
mander in Chief over the Province of New York and territories 
dependent thereon in America, &c : 

* To the Honble John Nanfan Esqf Lt. Gouvf and Commandr in Chief oft 
ye Province oft New York in America and ye Honbie Counceli oft ye 
same. 

The humble Petician oft Birnardus Freerman minister oft ye Gospel att 
Schanegtade & Ryer Schermerhoorn Esqr in ye behalf oft the Inhabitants 
of said Town, 
Sheweth 

That whereas the Town oft Schonegtade hath been wholy destroyed by 
ye French in ye late Warr & sins the resattling oft ye same The Inhabitants 
oft ye same being verry low and oft mean Estates have not bein able to Erect 
a Place convenient for ye Publick Worchip oft God, the Place where itt is 
now Exercised in nott bemg Large Enough to containe [the] whole Assembly 
of ye Inhab'tants & Indian Proselytes, 

They Therefore humbly pray yof hounrs Lycense for the collecting a 
free will offering oft ye Inhabitants oft this Province for ye buylding a 
convenient Place for ye Public Worship oft God in ye town aforesaid and 
yor Peticrs shall ever Pray &c. 
B. Freerman, EcU. Skagnagt. Ryer Schermerhooren. 

—Col. Mss. XLV. 

t By den Honorable John Nanfan, Esq., Governour an Commandeur in 
Cheeffe over d Proventie van New Yorke & Territories daeraen dependeren 
in America, &c. : 

Also 't Dorp van Schinnechtady, in d County Van Albany, heeft geheelyk 
gedistroyert geweest doer d Inloopinge Van d Franse in de gevvesene oorlogh 
en nae d herbowen daervan, de Inwoondeeren hebben geweest en nogh syn 
in een arm & leegh conditie, dat sy niet maghtigh hebben geweest om een 
behoorlyk plaets op te Rechten voor de gemeene Godts Dients ; En also niets 
Strecklyker can syn voor d Vrede en Welvaert desen provintie dan dat de 
gemeene dienst tot God Almighty sy Punctueelyk ge observeert en geviert in 
alle parten & Plastsen en besonderlyk aen de frontiers, in een gemeene en be- 
kent plaets daertoe geappointeert, dat de Inwoondeeren en bewoonders deser 
provinte mogen door haer goede Example van godtvrughtigheyt en Relige- 

11 



82 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

Whereas the Village of Schenectady, in the County of Al- 
bany, has been wholly destroyed through the incursion of the 
French in the late war, and after the rebuilding thereof the in- 
habitants have been and still are in a poor and low condition, so 
that they have not been able to erect a proper place for the 
public worship of God ; — and whereas nothing conduces more 
to the peace and well-being of this province than that the pub- 
lic worship of Almighty God be punctually observed and cele- 
brated in all parts and places and especially on the frontiers, in 
a public and acknowledged place thereto dedicated, that the in- 
habitants snd sojourners of this province may through their good 
example of piety snd religious reverence be brought over and 
persuaded there to dwell to the great strengthening of said fron- 
tier, which thereby become a defence for the other parts of this 
province, if a war should again occur between his most Sacred 
Majesty and the King of France ; 

Therefore I, by and with the advice of His Majesty's council 
for this province and in His Majesty's name, hereby give and 
grant full and free liberty and license to the inhabitants of said 
village of Schenectady, in said county of Albany, or to such 
person or persons as by them or the majority of them shall be 
employed to gather, collect and receive the free and voluntary 
offerings and contributions of all and every of His Majesty's 
faithful subjecrs, — inhabitants of this Province, at any time after 
this date and during the time of six months ; the said contribu- 
tions to be employed solely for the erection and building a neces- 
sary and becoming place for the public worship of God by the 
Inhabitants of said Village. And I hereby, in His Majesty's 
name require all His Majesty's justices, schouts, and all other 
His Majesty's officers within this Province, together with all 

ouse Eerbiedinge sy overgebraght en ge parswadeert daer te wooneii tot d 
groote versterking Van d gemezde Frontiers die daer door sullen geworden d 
Bescherminge voor d andere parten van dese provintie in dien een oorlogh 
uytvalt tuschen zyn most Sacred Majesteyt en de Franse Coningh. Ick daer- 
om by en met advice van syn Majesteyts councill voordese provintie en in syn 
majesteyts naem hierby geve en vergunn vol! en Vry Libertheit en Lycence 
aen d Inwoonderen des gemelde dorp Schinnechtady in de gemelde County 
van Albany oft aen sodanigh Personen oft Personen als by haer sullen geim- 
plooyeert syr, oft by het meeste part van haer to vergaderen en t Verderen en 
outfangen d vry en gewilllge ofiferinge en contribusies van alle & een yder 
syn majestyts getrow onderdanen Inwoonders van dese provintie tot Enige 
tydt vandata deser gedurende dan tydt en wyle van ses maenden Van dien. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 83 

Protestant ministers in their sundry and respective counties, 
cities, colonies, churches, districts and jurisdictions to use their 
utmost endeavors and diligence to arouse the liberality of the 
inhabitants on this occasion, which conduces to the honor and 
service of Almighty God, the welfare of this province in general 
and for the peace and security of all the inhabitants thereof. 

Given under ray hand and seal in Fort William Henry, in 
New York, this seven and twentieth day of October, A^ 1701,- 
in the 13th year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, William the 
third, by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and ' 
Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &g. 
Was signed, 

JOHN NANFAN. 
pr order of the Council. ^ 
B. Cozens, Sec. Conn, j 

This a])peal to the liberality of their neighbors was success- 
ful, and the church was probably finished in the year 1703.* 
The site was that of the first house of worship, at the junction 
of Church, Water and State streets, and the dimensions, fifty- 
en de gemelde Contribusies alleenlyk geimployeert to werde voor en tot het 
opreghten en bouwen van een noodigh en behoorlyk plaets voort gemeene 
Godts Dienst by Invvoonders der gemelde dorp van Schinnechtady, in d 
County van Albany. En hierby ick versoek in syn raajesteyt naem alle syn 
majesteyts Justicen der vrede, Schouten en alle andere syn majesteyts offi- 
cieren binnen dese provintie, alsmede alle prostestant Ministers in haer Ver- 
shyde & Respective Counties, steden, colonyen, Kercken, Districts & Juris- 
dicties te gebruycken & doen gebruycken haer en Eyder van haer Uytterste 
deavour en neerstigheyt voor en tot opwercken de Inwoonderen haer mil- 
dadigheit op dese Occasie, welcke dient tot d Eeer en Dienst van Gott Al- 
mightigh, het goet Welfair van dese provintie int generall en tot d Vrede en 
securiteyt van een yder Inwoonder daerin. 

Gegeven onder my hant en segel in fort William henry, in New Yorke, 
dese seven en Twentigheste daghvan Octobr, Ao 1701, en int 13d jaer der 
Regeringe van onsen Souverainen heer William d 3d by d gratie godts van 
England, Scotlant, Franckryk & Ireland, Conig and Beschermer des geloffs, 
&c. Was getekt 

JOHN NANFAN. 
pr ordr Van Councill. ^ 

B. Cozens, Sec. Comi ) 

*B. .Cozens Sec. of the Council in a letter to Reyer Schermerhorn, of date 
30th Jan., 1701, says "The Govr and Council have given ^10 towards the 
church at Schenectady." — Schermerhorn papers. 



84 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

six feet north and south, by forty-six feet east and west, Amster- 
dam measure. The burying ground adjoined the church upon 
the west side and was fifteen feet wide by fifty-six feet long. 
Speaking of Schenectady in 1710, the Rev. Thomas Barclay 
says : " There is a convenient and well built church, which 
they freely give me the use of." * 

Probably it was substantially built of stone, for after its aban- 
donment in 1734 as a place of worship, it was used for some 
years as a fort, f A wooden building would hardly have been 
devoted to such a purpose. By the year 1754 it had been re- 
moved and the site was successively occupied by a barracks, 
watch-house and market. :j: 

In 1792 the spot being vacant, the Consistory proposed to erect 
thereon a house at the cost of £170,|| but it is believed this project 
was never carried out, for in 1794 they resolved to lease it to 
Areiit S. Veddei' for building purposes upon condition that it 
should never be dug up, save so far as was necessary to lay the 
foundations or to set fence posts — that the foundation should 
not be laid farther west than where the old church's west wall 
stood, and that the house built thereon should never be used for 
'' Tap-drink-of- Vrolyk-huys {so ah men deselve gewoonlyk noemt.")*^ 
To account for these singular conditions iii a deed of convey- 
ance, it is only necessary to remember that this then was looked 
upon as sacred ground, and that here for sixty years, to 1720, 
the dead of the village were buried. ** 

The building above mentioned was never erected. The next 
year, 1795, the Trustees of the Common lands resolved to make 
an ofPer for this lot,tthut if made nothing came of it, for in 1800 
the Consistory directed that it "be properly ascertained and 
marked out," and in 1805 agreed to lease it to Anne McFarlane 
for $10 per an., but she was not allowed to dig upon it. 

*Doc. Hist. Ill, 540 

t Act of the Assembly, 1734 (?). 

tjno. Mynderse's will in the Ct. of Appeals ofiice. . , and Deeds XII 
Collins to Van Eps. 

II Consistory minutes. 

% Consistory minutes 

**VVhen the public cistern was built here in 184— the ancient burial ground 
was encroached upon and many bones were thrown out- 

t+ Minutes of the Board. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 85 

The removal of Do. Freeman was a disheartening event to 
the church. He had gained the confidence of the people and 
considerable influence over the neighboring Indians. To obtain 
another minister from Holland in their present circumstances 
was impossible. They were not only a small but a poor people, 
and without aid not in a condition to support a minister. 

For the following ten years they were destitute of the stated 
ministry, being only o'ccasiqnally visited by the ministers of Al- 
bany and other more distant settlements. 

Between the years 1705 and 1715 Domines Johannes Lydius 
and Petrus Van Driessen, of Albany, Petrus Vas, of Kingston, 
and Gualterus Du Bois, of New York, made 2-4 visits to Sche- 
nectady, baptising 152 children, of whom 19 were Indians. In 
all this time the records show but one member added to the 
church. Rev Thomas Barclay, chaplain to the fort in Albany, 
preached occasionally in Schenectady. In a letter* dated Sep- 
tember 26, 1710, he says: "At Schenectady I preach once a 
month, where there is a garrison of forty soldiers, besides about 
sixteen English and about one hundred Dutch families. They 
are all of them my constant hearers. 

I have this summer got an English school erected amongst 
them, and in a short time I hope their children will be fit for 
catechising. Schenectady is a village situated upon a pleasant 
river, twenty English miles above Albany, and the first Castle 
of the Indians is twenty-four miles above Schenectady. In this 
village there has been no Dutch minister these five years and 
there is no probability of any being settled among them. There 
is a convenient and well built church, which they freely give me 
the use of. I have taken the pains to show them the agreement 
of the articles of our church with theirs. I hope in some time 
to bring them not only to be constant hearers, but com- 
municants." 

As early as 1713 the church applied to Governor Hunter for 
permission to call a new minister and received his license dated 
July 27, that year. On the 17th day of May, the following year, 
the Consistory addressed a letter to William Bancker, merchant 
of Amsterdam, and Rev. Matthias Winterwyck, of Alphen 
(Daljihin?) Holland, authorising them to procure a minister for 

* Letter to the Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel 
in Foreign Parts. Doc. Hist. Ill, 540 



86 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



the church, and promising liim a salary of £90 to commence 
on his arrival, a dwelling free of rent, tire wood at the door, a 
large garden, and free pasture for two cows and a horse. The 
result of this negotiation was the arrival of Domine Thomas 
Brouwer in July, 1714. 

He probably came from the Province of Overyssell, where he 
had two brothers living in 1728 — the one Gerardus, at Zwoll, 
and the other, Theodorus, minister at Dalpliin. 

He made his will* on the 24th of November, 1727, and died 
on the 15th of January, 1728.t He left £25 — one-half to the 
church and the other for the poor — his gun, pistols, horse, table 
linen, &c., to various members of the family of Gerrit Symonse 
Veeder and Johannes Bancker, and his books, best clothing, 
linen, &c., to his two brothers above mentioned. He speaks of 
neither wife nor children. During his pastorate of twelve years 
he married fifty-three couples, baptised five hundred and five 
children, and admitted one hundred and eight persons to the 
chixrch. 



CHAPTER V. 

1728-36. DOMINE RKINHARDUS ERICIIZON THE FOURTH MINIS- 
TER. THE THIRD CHrRCII EDIFICE ERECTED. 

The fourth minister of the church was Do. Reinhardus Erich- 
zon. His call, or Beroepbri'ef, was dated 30th march, 1728, two 
and a half months after the death of his predecessor. 

He was ])robably a native, or at least, a resident of Groningen, 
North Holland, and before his call to Schenectady had minis- 
tered three years to the church of Hackensack, Paramus and 
Schraalenbergh, New Jersey. 

* On file in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals. 

t He had been disabled by sickness, however, since the month of August, 
1723, and unable all that time to perform the active duties of his calling. An 
assistant was employed to do his work, but the records do not give bis name- 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



The Consistory of Schenectady agreed to give him a salary 
of £100 ($250), a parsonage house in good repair, a garden kept 
in fence, pasture for a horse and two cows, and fire-wood at the 
door. 

Sixty or seventy loads of wood Avas the Domine's annual 
supply in these early times. For this purpose a bee was made usu- 
ally in the month of January. The congregation then turned out 
with their teams, and in from one to three days his yard was 
filled. The Consistory made a bountiful provision for the enter- 
tainment of the bee makers on these occasions, as appears hy the 
following extracts from the treasurer's books. 
16 Jan. I74f to Johannes DePeyster for five gallons of Rum 

for the Domine's bee c 3-6 £0-17-6 

19 " to Pieter Groenendyk for ^ gall, wine . , 4-0 

23 " to Metie Fairly for use of the house at 

the bte 4-0 

1748, 28th Ap. to Jacobus Mynderse for rum for the 

Domine's bee 3-12-2 

1749 Jan. Beer for the bee 1-14-6 

1751 Jan. 1 for rum and sugar 1- 7-6 

2 for beer 0-12-0 

" Ap. 28 to Anna Wendell for house hire twice for 

a bee. - 9-0 

to Isaac x4br. Truex for rum and sugar * 1-13, 6 

During the eight years of his pastorate here he married sev- 
enty-nine couples, baptised about three hundred and fifty chil- 
dren and received two hundred and six members to the church. 

Domine Erichzon left Schenectady in October 1736, hav- 
ing received a call to the church of Freehold and Middle- 
town, N. J., where he remained until " compelled to discontinue 
his ministry on account of intemperence, whether from an act of 
suspension by the Classis of Amsterdam or not is not known. The 
evidence in the case was conclusive. The charge was brought 
by Mr. Williamson, who had seen him intoxicated upon the pub- 

* 1 6 Jan. I74f, aan Joh: de Peyster voor 4 gall: Rhum voor Do 

bees. 3 sh-6d ;^o-i7-6 

19 do. aan Pr Groenendyk voor i gall: wyn - 4"° 

23 aan Metje Fairly voor 't huys gebruyck op de bee - 4-0 

1748 28 ap. an Jacobus Mynderse voor rum voor Doms Bee ;,f3-i2-2 

Jan. Biervoorde Bee 1-14-6 

Old church records. 



88 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

lie road. He remained five or six years in Monmouth, N. J., 
livino- in the parsonage, and there is reason to believe (says Mr. 
Marselis), that he abandoned his evil habits. He and his wife 
removed to New Brunswick about 1770 and lived with his daugh- 
ter. Here he probably died. 

His widow, it is said, returned to Monmouth. His first wife, 
Mary Provoost, he married on the 22nd of May, 1726, whilst 
minister of the church of Hackensack. They had a daughter, 
Anna, born in Schenectady in 1729, and two sons — William, 
born in Freehold in 1737, and David, born in 1740. His second 
wife was Mary Luyster, widow of Rulif Brokaw, and daughter 
of Johannes Luyster and Lucretia Brower, of Middletown, N. J. 

It is not known that Do. Erichzon published anything. The 
tradition respecting him is that he was a man of learning and 
of superior pulpit talents.* 

His ministry in Schenectady seems to have been a successful 
one. Since the treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, the country had been 
at peace, and wealth and population increased rapidly. 

Our villiage was no exception, and before the church erect- 
ed in 1 703 had stood thirty years the population had outgrown 
its capacity, and it became necessary to erect a larger. 

This matter began to be agitated soon after Do. Erichzon be- 
came pastor, and instead of appealing to their neighbors for aid 
as in the former case, the congregation was able not only to 
build a house which for the times was both substantial and spa- 
cious, but also to furnish it with a bell and clock. 

As a preliminary step in this new enterprise, a subscription 
paper was circulated through the town in 1730 by which £322 
was obtained, and extending the appeal up the valley into Ma- 
quo s Land f\ a still further sura of £33-15 was subscribed in 
money and wheat. 

* Taylor's Classis of Bergen, p. 193, and letter of B. W. 

Rev. Gerrit C. Schanck, of Marlboro, N. J., has -'an old portrait of De. 
R. Erichzon, painted by Daniel Hendricksen, an Elder in the church and in- 
timate friend of the Domine. He was a farmer, and self-taught artist. The 
painting is not finely executed." [This painting was procured for the Memo- 
rial Exhibition held in the church June 21-24. It has been purchased, and 
is now in the possession of Dr. Exichzon's descendant, Mr. Daniel Vedder. 
W. E. G.] 

'\ Maquaas Landt was that part of the valley of the Mohawk river lying 
west of Amsterdam. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 89 

The following is that portion of this list made up of Sche- 
nectady names : — 

July, 1730. 

List of the voluntaiy gifts which were promised here at Sche 
nectady, in the County of Albany, for the building of a new 
church for the behoof of the Dutch Reformed Church at Sche- 
nectady * : — 

We or I, the underwritten, promise to pay to Arent Bratt, 
Jacobus Van Dyck, Dirck Groot and Cornells Vander Volgen 
and Robeft Yates, Jacob Swits, Wouter Vrooman and Jan 
Barentse Wemp, Elders and Deacons, or to their successors, the 
sum which we or I subscribe with our hands so soon as the 
foundation of said church is laid ; and failing of the same, we 
or I promise to pay ten pounds current money, if we or I are 
negligent in the payment of the sum of money, which I with my 
hand subscribe, as witness our hands or my hand, f 
Jellis Vonda ----- drie pont + 
Henderick Voonian - - - fyf pont 

Capt. Harme Van Slyck - - - Ses pont 
Albert vedder ----- drie pont 
Abraham Meebie . . . - 4 pont 

helmis Veder ----- vier pont 
John fairley - - - - - 3 pont 

Myndert Wynip - - - ■ 3 pont 

Pieter Cornu - - - - - 3 pont 
Barent Vrooman - - - - 2 pont 
Wyllem Teller - - - - - 4 pont 
Gysbert V brakel - - - - 5 pont 
John Vrooman - - - - - 6 pont 

* 1730 Den July, lyst van de vry Villige gift die belooft wart hierop Scho- 
nechtade In de County van Albany tot hat opbouwaii de niderduytse gerefor- 
meerde gemyute hier op Schonechtade. 

t Wy ondergeschreva of Ick and ondera;eschreven beloove to betalen aen 
Arent Bratt, Jacobus Van Dyck, dirck groot, en Cornelis Vander Volgen, en 
robbert eats, Jacob Swits, wouter Vrooman, en Jan barents wemp, oudar- 
lingen an dyaconen of aen haer successeurs die som die wy of Ick met myn 
handt hier onderteykana sodra als da gront slag van gemalda kerck gelyt 
wart en by mankament Vandianso baloove \vy of Ick te betalen thien pont 
corraiit gelt Indian wy of Ick nalatig ben om te betalen die som gelt die Ick 
met myn hant hier onder Schriva, ter getuyge onse hande of myn handt. 

X The pound New York currency was $2. 5a 

12 



90 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Johannis Van Vorst . 

Johauiiis Marselis 

Abram groot . 

Cornelis Van Slyck 

Symon Veder . 

Reinhart Erickzon, pretl. 

Arent brat 

Jacobus Van Dyck 

(iirck groot 

Cornelis van der Volge 

Robbert yets 

Yacoep Swits 

Wouter Vrooman 

Jan Barentse Wemp 

Abram D Graaf 

Cornelis Van Dyck 

Joha. Sanders Glen . 

Jacobus Peeck 

Aaernout de Graaf . 

Sander Lanseng . 

Jacob Glenn 

barent hendrickse vrooman 

Joseph Van Sice 

Abraham Truax . 

Sander Van Eps 

Davet Marinis 

Nicolaas Groodt 

Daniel Danielse [Van antwerpen] . 

Symon Vrooman 

Johannys ouderkerck . 

Philip Van Putte 

haerme Vedder . 

Reyer Wempel 

Gerret Van Vorst 

Johanis Vedder yu. [Jr.] . 

Abraham Glenn ... 

Arent braet, yu. [Jr.] 

hendrick Vrooman, iunier, belofte 

William Peters 

Takel Maerseles . 



3 pont 
. 2 pont 

vier stuck van achte. 
. drie pont 

drie pont 

5 pont 

nege pont 

drie pont 

vier pont 
. vyf pont 

vyf pont 
. 2 pont 

twaels(12?)pont 
. 4 pont 

3 pont 

3 pont 

3 pont 
. drie pont 

vier pont 
. 3 pont 

acht pont 
. een pont 

3 pont 

4 pont 

2 pont 
. 1 pont 

2£ 

3 pont 

4 pont 
. 2 pont 

1 pont 
. 2 pont 

3 pont 
. 2 pont 

2 " 
. 3 " 

4 " 
2 " 
2-10 

. 2 pont . 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



91 



. 1 


a 


2 


" 


. 2 


a 


3 


" 


£195-14 


2 


pont 


. 2 


u 



Yacobus Vedder .... 2 pont 

Adiyaen Van Slyck 

harme m (?) Vedder . 

Cornelus Veder .... 

Harmanus Vedder . 

58 . 

Joli : Visger .... 
Wilhelnius Ryckman . 
lourens Van der Volgen, VrywUUg . 6 
Arent Stevens . . . . .1 
tierk franse [Van der Bogart] . . 4 
douwe aukis, geordeneert voor hem of S}^l 

erfgenamen .... 
Pieter Felinck. 7 stuck 8 of . 
Johannis Mynderse 
Johannis Bleecker .... 
Sara Luykes .... 

Pieter Winne - . . . . 
Cornells pooetman 

Pieter Veder 

Jacop Vrooman .... 
Jacoji truex ..... 
Oysbert Marselis junior 
Gerret (?) Danlelse [Van Antwerpen] 
Volkie wemp ..... 
Jan leenderse .... 



bartholomewis Vrooman 
Jan Vrooman . 
marya Van der Volgen 
elysabet van brakel . 
fearent wemp, junior 
•Geertruy mynders 
Sander Glen 
Jacop teller 
antie beck 
Jan dellamond . 



. 3 " 


£2-8 


. 12 gul 

80 guld 
. 12 Shil 


1 pont 
. 3 " 


2 " 


. 2 « 


3 « 


. 1 « 


6 betaelt pont 

2 


10 shil. 


£229-4 


. 1 pont 
1-4. 


. 1 pont 
2 " 


. 2 " 


4 " 


. 3 « 


2 " 


. 2 " 


3 " 



92 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Capt. bancks [Banks] . 


2 " 


Jelles Van Vorst .... 


2 " 


Jacobus Van Vorst 


1 " 


Douwe Vonda 


3 " 


anna lythall 


1 " 


Jannyetie Veders .... 


2 •' Valdaen 


elyas Post 


1-10 


Jan Baptist Van eps 


6 pont 


anna Wendell . . 


6 shil. 


Catrina brat 


6 " 


Cornelya brat .... 


6 " 


engelie Symonse [Veeder] 


1 pont 


Gerret Symonse [Veeder] 


6 " 


William bancker .... 


2 " 


evert Van eps .... 


2 " 


John Dunbar 


2 " 


gerret gysbertse [Van Brakel] 


2 " 


gysbert Van brakel, junior, 


2 " 


Sweer Marselis 


2 pont 


Joseph Dance 


3 " 


Johaimis teller .... 


3 " 


akis brat 


2 " 


claes de graef .... 


6 shil. 


daniel degraaf 


6 " 


Ja<;op Schermerhorn 


1 pont 4 S. 


Johannis peeck .... 


2 " 


Jan Danielse [van antwerpen] 


2 - 


pieter danielse [van antwerpen] 


2 " 


JacopMebie 


3 " 


Pieter Vrooman .... 


3 " 


arent vedder .... 


2 " 


Jacobus Peeck, Junior, 


2 " en 


een tonne bier, . 




Myndert van gyselingh . 


4 pont 


Johannis haell .... 


1-10 


Samuel brat 


1 pont 


WilyemBerret . . 


2 " 



[total] £322-2- 

De lyst van de val en maquaaes landt 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 93 



De gelt belofte comt . . . £19-16 

het core tege 4-10 pr sch . . . 13-19 

[£355-17] 

This sum did not amount to quite one third the cost of the 
church, which was £1167-17-10 [$2,919-73]. The remainder 
was probably derived from the accumulations of former years 
and from the sale of lands or leases — the gift of the trustees of 
common lands. 

After thorough preparation the work was begun in the spring 
of 1732. Hendrick Yrooman was Baas* of the men, of whom 
seventeen were carpenters, besides masons, glaziers, &c. His 
wages were seven shillings a day — the others were paid from 
five to six shillings. The Freeck-Stoel f [pulpit] was built by 
Pieter Cornu for £20, and Gysbert W. Vanden Bergh, of Al- 
bany, contracted to do the mason work for £80. 

Among the first articles of hardioare purchased were : 

twee vaten spykers £18-16 

en een ocxshoft rom 13-12 

and before the close of the year the latter article was exhausted 
and more purchased. The same liberal supply was made for the 
year 1733. % 

This house was dedicated January 13, 1734, on which occa- 
sion Do. Erichzon preached in the morning, his text being the 
third verse of the second chapter of Isaiah. In the afternoon 
Do. Van Driessen, of Albany, preached from the first and sec- 
ond chapter of the same book. 

The following Sabbaths, January 20th and 27th the pastor 
continued the subject of his first sermon. || 

* This is a genuine Dutch word signifying master or chief. 

t In 1761 the pulpit was newly adorned at an expense of ;,^i-i4-i as follows : 

aan casa Betalt voor 't Bekeeden van de Predickstoel ^0-3-0 

I2^elle Swarte Saloen voor Predickstoel te 

Bekleeden c 2-6 1-10-7 

Kleyne spikertjes 6d 6 

— Church accounts. 
X Church records. 

II 1 73 J Jan. 13. — De Eerste predicatie gedaen in de nieuwe Kerche door 
heer Doomeny Erichzon uit den Prophet Yesaia het 2 Capittel Vers 3. — Svn 
inlyding uit Luce 22 verse 32 ent tot besluit gesonge uit psalm 100 vers 3. 

De twede predicatie gedaen door den Heer domeny Van Driessen uit 



94 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

This third house was situated in Church street at its junction 
with Union street, and was eighty feet in length, North and 
South, and fifty-six feet wide ; * the Trustees of the town con- 
veyed to the church not only this site but also the land around 
the same ten feet in width, except on the West side, where by 
reason of the narrowness of the street, it was limited to five 
feet, t The building matei'ial was blue sand stone or greywacke 
from the quarries east of the village. It had two entrances, — 
one on the South end, the other on the East side, over which 
was built a porch with a stair case leading to galleries. The 
roof was in Mansard style, a few specimens of which still (1860) 
remain in the city. The bellfry and clock tower stood on the 
North end. As seen from the East end of Union street it pre- 
sented a pleasing and imposing appearance. The tub shaped 
pulpit fixed upon a narrow pedestal and surmounted by a conical 
sounding board, was built against the West wall in front of 
which an open space, was railed in called the Doophuisje. Here 
the Domine stood while administering the rite of baptism. 

There was a gallery upon all sides save the West, whether 
built with the church, or at a later day it not known, as no men- 
tion is made of it before the year 1788, when it began to be 
occupied by adult males who could not obtain seats below. In 
this, as in other Dutch congregations the males and females sat 
apart ; — the former upon raised seats called gestoelte, placed 
against the walls of the church, and the latter in slips or bancken 
upon the floor of the house. 

In the year 1800 three family pews were constructed. X 

ded prophet Yes^iia 35 capittel vers i en 2 en tot besliiit gesonge uit 1 18 
psalm vers i. — 20 ditto [Jan.] Den predicatie uit jesaia 2, vers 3 het middel 
part en tot besluit gesonge psalm 25, vers 22. 27 ditto [Jan.] De vierde pre- 
dicatie uit jesaia 2 cap. 3 vers laste part, entot besluit gesonge psalm 1 10 vers 
2. — From Simon Volkertse Veeder's Bible, now owned by Mrs. H. J. Bratt. 

* Church charter, Aug. 23. 1734. 

t Patentees deed 10 July 1733. 

X 9 July 1800. Resolved that the two first female seats at your left hand on 
entermg the church by the East door and which are vacant be divided into 
three or four square pews as the case will permit, and that when finished 
they be published for sale, reserving, however, one thereof for the minister's 
family 

Mr. Henry Yates took the first pew as you enter the East door. 

The southeastern pezo was sold to Joseph C. Yates for 50 Dolls. 

The middle peiv was reserved for the minister. 

— Consistory minutes. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



In the first allotment of seats little regard was had to family 
relations, nor was there any exchange of sittings, and so long as 
the yearly rent was paid they were the property of the occu- 
pants, but in case of removal or death passed to the nearest rela- 
tive of the same sex. Only in case of non-payment of the cus- 
tomary rent was a seat forfeited. It was then allotted anew at 
the discretion of the consistory. Every transfer of a sitting cost 
the new occupant twelve shillings, beside the yearly rent of five 
shillings for males and four shillings for females. * 

During the eighty years that this church stood but few and 
trifling changes were made in the slips or bancken first erected, 
and these chiefly by additions to accommodate the increasing 
congregation. The number of places {plaatsen) occupied by 
adults at different periods were as follows : — 

Men's seats. Men in gallery. Women's seats. Total 

Jn. 1734 86 ' 218 304 

" 1754 104 328 432 

" 1788 12o 35 346 506 

P'rom 1788 to 1814 when the old church was removed, new 
comers could not rent seats without great difficulty except in the 
gallery, which being chiefly occu])ied by boys and negroes was 
not considered quite respectable. 

The people worshipped on the Sabbath almost to the begin- 
ning of this century, even in the coldest winter weather without 
any other artificial heat than that derived from foot stoves. 
The first stoves used in this church were bought in December, 
1792, and set up that winter. They were placed upon two plat- 
forms elevated to the height of the gallery, and reached by 
climbing over the balustrade. It is said that the kloklayer was 
accustomed to replenish them at the beginning of the Domine's 

* Jan. I, 1747-8. ,The seats (//i2ato;z) of those that have not paid their 
dues for a year and a day, shall be sold except paid within 3 weeks, and here- 
after seats shall, be sold if the occupants refuse to pay for 9 months. Also the 
beats of those who are deceased shall fall to the church, if within a year and six 
months after their decease said seats shall not be assigned. 

1749, Dec. 31. Each woman's seat (Vrouweplaatse) was rated at four shil- 
lings and each man's seat (mans plaatze) at five shillings. The right of succes- 
sion shall be in the next female and male, and if this fail the seat shall fall to 
the church. 

• — Consistory minutes. 

See Appendix A. 



96 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

sennoii and to notify to the congregation of the importance of 
his vocation was particiUarly noisy in opening and shutting the 
stove doors. By this arrangement it is said that " the top of 
the church was comfortable but the people below had to carry 
foot stoves to keep themselves warm." So unsatisfactory was 
this first experiment in Avarming the church that the matter 
came up and was discussed by the Consistory, and the result 
was that the elevated platforms were removed and the stoves 
placed upon the floor of the church.* 

The following bill for these stoves is translated from the ti'eas- 
xirer's book : 

£ s d 

1792 Dec. 23. Paid James Murdoch for 2 stoves. . . 12-15-8 
29 Dec. To cash for riding stone for the stove floor 0-13-3 
Paid James McWilliams for setting the stoves in the 

church 0-12-0 

to a cart to Albany to haul the gryp (?) iron for the 

stoves ' 0-10-0 

to 140|lbs. of iron by Switsfor the small work about 

the stoves 8-10-1^ 

to 1 quart of rum for the workmen 0- 2-5 

1793 Jan. Cash to Maas Schermerhoi'n paid 

for set (?) iron, 25 lbs at 11 pence a pound 1-2-11 

Cash paid Walter Swits and Peter Symens for the 

iron-work on the stoves f 9-19-6 

£28-05-101 

* 25 Dec. 1798. Finding that the stoves in the Church are not placed to 
the best advantage for casting of warmth to the audience, Resolved 

That the Consistory will meet in the church to-morrow and endeavor to 
place them to more advantage. — Consistory minutes. 

t 1792 Dec 23 Aan James Murdoch betalt voor 2 kaghels ^12-15- 8 

29 aen cass voor Roye Stein voor de Caghel vloer 0-13- 8 

aen James McWiiliams betaelt de kaghels in de kirk te sette 0-12- o 
aen Een wage na Albany voor 't gryp Eysei an de Kakhels te 

hale o-io- o 

aen 140^ lb. Eyser Door Swits voor ciyn werk an de Kaghels 3-10- \\ 

aen i qart rom an de werk Luyde 2- 5 

1703 Jan. cassa aen Maes Schermerhorn voorset eyser be- 
talt 25 lb at II pens p pont I- 2-II 

Cassa betalt aen Walter Swits in Pieter Symens voor het eyser- 

werk an Cagels 8-19- 6 

;^58-o5-ioA 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 97 



CHAPTER VI. 

1731-4. THE BELL AND CLOCK. THE CHARTER. 

On the 10th February, 1730-1 a subscription was opened for 
a bell. The heading of this paper is as follows : 
Subscriptions of persons for the bell. 

We the underwritten promise what we with our own hands or 
by our own orders have here subscribed and promised, to pa}^ 
for a new bell for the Low Dutch church here at Schenectady 
& we promise to pay the same to the Domine and Consistory of 
the Low Dutch church of Schenectady, viz :— to Domine Erich- 
zon, Dirck Groot, Cornells Vander Volgen, Harmanus Vedder, 
Abraham Mebie, Jan Barentse Wemp, Wouter Vrooman, Abra- 
ham De Graaf and Cornells Van Dyck, or to one of them, on or 
before the first day of May next coming. Done in Schenectady 
the 10th of February 1730-1. * 

To this paper are appended 152 names and the amount raised 
was £45-6-6 ($113.31.) 

The bell was procured in Amsterdam and did " good and 
faithful service for more than a century until it was cracked in 
1848." It bore the following inscription : 
I)e Klok van de Neder-duidsch gemeente van Sconechiade door Baar 

selfbezorght anno 1732. Me fecerunt DeOraoe et Muller, Am- 
sterdam. '\ 

* Beloftcn van Personen voor de klock. 

Wy onderschrevenen Belove het Geene wy met onser Igen hant of door 
onser Igen order hier onder geteckent en Belooft hebben om Een Nieuwe 
Kloeck te coopen In de Needer Duytsche kerck hier te Schenectady en Be- 
love het selve te Betalen aen De. Heere Domine en Kercken rade van de 
Needer duytsche kerck van Schenectady byname, Dom. Erichzon, Dirck 
Groot, Cornels Vander VoUege, Harmanus Vedder, Abra. Mebie, Jan Bar. 
Wemp, Wouter Vrooman, Abraham De Graaf, en Corns. Van Dyck, of aen 
Een Van haer en Dat Voor of OD den I day Van May nu aen staende. 

Actum te Schenectadv den lo FebV, 1 730-1. -Church papers. 

t "The bell of the Low Dutch Church of Schenectady procured by them- 
selves in the year 1732." 

"DeGrave and Muller, Amsterdam, made me." 

In 1740 the church had a public or town clock purchased, probably at about 



98 HISTORY OF THE CHUECH. 

Although the church had owned considerahle real estate more 
than fifty years, it had no corporate existence in law, and could 
neither hold or alienate property save through individuals act- 
ing as its trustees. Feeling the precarious nature of such ten- 
ure, wlien the church edifice was finished, the Consistory peti- 
tioned the Governor and Council for a charter. * 

This api)lication was favorably considered and oii the thiid 
day of August, 1734, the following Charter Mas gi-anted under 
the great seal of the Province, f 

George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Brittain, 
France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc. To 
all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth Greeting : 
Whereas we have been infoi'med by the humble petition of 
our Loving Subjects RinherdtErickesen, John Barentse [Weni])]. 
Gerrit Simonse Veeder, Simon Vrooman, Robert Yaats, Sander 
Lansinck, Abraham Truax, Abraham Glen and Arent Samuelse 
Bradt, the present minister, Elders and Deacons of the Dutch 
Protestant Congregation in Schenectady, in our County of Al- 
bany, presented oiir trusty and well beloved William Cosby, 
Esqr., our Captain General and Governor in Chief of our 
Province of New York, New Jersey and Territories thereon 
depending in America, and Vice Admiral of the same and Coll' 
in our Army, that the said Minister, Elders and Deacons and 
the rest of the Communicants of the said Congregation have at 
their own charge built a New Church in the Town of Schenec- 
tady aforesaid, and the same have dedicated to the Almighty 
God, but for the want of being incorporated they are not C-apa- 
ble of Receiving or accepting of such Donations as pious 
Designed Persons are or may be dis])Osed to give unto them, or 
of Pui-chasing any Lands or Tenements for the use of said 
Church ; wherefore in their said humble })etition they have like- 
wise i)rayed our Letters Patent to Incorporate them and the rest 



the same time with the bell. In 1773 Benjamin Ycung was paid ^5-10 for 
keepmg it in order for one year ; and in 1774 ^6. 

It was the custom to ring the bell three times on the Sabbath, before com- 
mencing religious services down to January, 18 10, when the Consistory made 
the change indicated in the following resolution : 

Resolved, That in future the bell shall be rung twice as usual, previous to 
the commencement of public worship, and that tolling shall be substituted for 
the third ringing. It is said the bell was also rung at the close of the service 
that the servants at home might have the dinner ready on their masters return. 

*C()1. Mss. LXX, 107. 

t Patents in office of Sec. of State at Albany. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 99 



of the communicants of the said churcli, into a body Politick 
and Corporate, in Deed, fact and name and Style of the Min- 
isters, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch 
Church of Schenectady in the County of Albany, and thereby 
also to grant unto said Corporation and their successors forever, 
the new Church aforesaid and the grounds whereon the same 
stands ; and also to grant and secure unto them and their suc- 
cessors the free exercise and enjoyment of all their civil and 
Religious Rights, and the Liberty of worshi[)})ing God accord- 
ing to Constitutions and Directions of the Reformed Church in 
Holland, approved and Instituted by the National Synod of 
Dort, which Petition we being Willing to grant, and being 
Willing in particular favor to the pious purposes of our Loving 
Subjects in free Exercise and Enjoyment of all their Civill and 
Religious Rights ai)pertaining unto them in manner aforesaid 
as our Loving Subjects, and to preserve to them and their suc- 
cessors that Liberty of worshipping God accoixling to the Con 
stitution and Directions aforesaid. 

Wherefore, know ye, that we of our especial Grace, certain 
knowledge and meer motion have ordained, Constituted and De- 
clared and by these presents for us, our Heirs and successors do 
ordain, Constitute and Declare that they, the said Minister, 
Elders and Deacons and the rest of tlie Communicants of the 
said new Dutch Cluurh in Schenectady aforesaid, be and shall 
be from time to time and at all times forever hereafter, a body 
Corporate and Politick in Deed, fact and name, by the name of 
the Minister^ Elders and Diacor.s of the Reformed Protestant Dutch 
Church 0/ Schenectady in the County of Albany, and them and their 
successors by the name of the Minister, Elders and Deacons of 
the Reformed Potestant Dutch Church of Schenectady in the 
County of Albany, one body Corporate and Politick in Deed, 
fact and Name, really and fully We do for ixs our Heirs and 
Successors erect, make. Constitute Declare and Create by these 
presents and that by the same name they and their successors 
may and shall have perpetual succession, and shall and may be 
Persons able and Capable in tlie Law to Sue and be sued, to 
plead and be impleaded, to answer, and be answered, 
and Defend and be Defended in all and singular Suits, 
Causes, Quarrells, Matters, Actions and things of what 
kind and nature so ever ; and also that they and their 
successors (by the same name) be and shall be forever 
hereafter Capable and Able in Law to have, take, accept of. 
Acquire and purchase in fee and forever, or for Life or Lives, or 
for years, any messuages, buildings. Houses, Lands, Teneme- 
nts, Hereditaments and real estate, and and the same to 
Lease or Demise for one or more years, or to grant, alien. Bar- 



100 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



gain, Sell and dispose of for Life, or Lives, or forever under cer 
tain yearly rents ; and also to accept of, take, and possess and 
Purchase any Goods, Chattels, or Personal Estate and the same 
Lett, Sell or Dispose of at will and pleasure ; and all this as fully 
as any other our Liege People, or any Corporation and body 
Politick within that part of onr Kingdom of Gi-eat Brittain 
Called England, or this our Province, may Lawfully do : — Pro- 
vided that such Messuages and real estate as they or their Suc- 
ceessors shall have, or may be Entitled to, shall not at any one 
time exceed the yearly Rent of Two hundred pounds Current 
Money of our said Province of New York, over and above the 
Church and ground on which the same is Erected, Built and 
stands : — And further we do will and grant that they the said 
Minister, Elders and Deacons and their successors shall and may 
forever hereafter have a Common Seal to serve and use for all 
Matters, Causes, things and affairs whatsoever, of them and 
their Successors ; and the same Seal to alter, change, break and 
make New from time to time, at their will and pleasure as they 
think titt ; and we have thought fitt and hereby Publish, Grant, 
ordain and Declare that our Royal will and pleasure is, that no 
Person in Communion cjf the said Reformed Protestant Dutch 
Church of Schenectady as aforesaid, at any time hereafter, shall 
be any ways molested, punished, disquieted or Called in Ques- 
tion for any difference in opinion in matters of the Protestant 
Religion, who do not actually disturb the Civil Peace of our said 
Province, but that all and f very pei'son and persons in Commun- 
ion of the said Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Schenec- 
tady aforesaid, may from time to time and at all times hereaf- 
ter, freely and fully have and enjoy his and their own judgments 
and Consciences in matters of the protestant religious Concern- 
ments of the said Reformed Protestant Dutcli Church, Accor- 
ding to the Constitutions and directions aforesaid, they behaving 
themselves peaceably and Quietly, and not using this Liberty to 
Licentiousness, or profaneness, nor to the Civil Injury or out- 
ward Disturbance of Others, any Law, Statute, usage or custom 
of that part of our Kingdom of Great Brittain called England, 
or of this our Province to the Contrary hereof in any ways not- 
withstanding : — arid for the better ordering and managing the 
affairs and business of the said Corporation and Church, We do 
for us, our Heirs and Successors Ordain, direct and appoint that 
there shall be a perpetual Successian of ministers for the service 
of God and the Ijistruction of the Communicants and Members 
of the said Church in the Christian faith, according to the Con- 
stitutions and Directions afoi'esaid aiul that the present Minister 
and every other Minister or Ministers of the said Church here- 
after to be called, chosen or appointed, shall each of them re 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. lOl 



spectively remain and Continue to be a minister of the said 
chui'ch, so long as the Elders and Deacons of the said Chnrch 
for the time being and all those, who heretofore have been oi- 
hereafter shall have been Elders and Deacons of the said Church 
or the Major part of them shall think proper : — and further we 
.will, ordain and by these presents for us our Heirs and Succes- 
sors do Declare and api)oint that for the better Ordering and 
managing the affairs and business of the said Corporation, there 
shall be four Elders and four Deacons from time to time Consti- 
tuted, Elected and Chosen out of the Members of said Church 
Inhabiting in Schenectady for the time being, in such manner 
and form as is hereafter in these presents expressed, Avhich Per 
sons together with the Minister or the Major part of them for 
the time being shall apply themselves to take care for the best 
disposing and (Ordering the general business and affairs of and 
concerning the said Church and of and concerning all such 
Lands, Tenements, Hereditaments, real and personal Estate as 
shall, or may be acquired as aforesaid ; — and for the better exe- 
cution of our Royal pleasure herein, We do for us, our Heirs 
and Successors Assign, name, Constitute and appoint the afore- 
said Mr. RinherdtErricksen to be the present Minister of the said 
Church, and the aforesaid John Barentse Wemp. G-errit Simonse 
Veeder, Simon Vrooman, and Robert Yaats to be the present 
Elders of the said Church, and Sander Lansinck, Abraham Tre- 
aux, Abraham Glen and Arent Samuelse Bratt to be the present 
Deacons of the said Church, which Elders and Deacons ai-e to 
continue in the said several offices res}»ectively until others be 
duly chosen to officiate in their rooms, in maimer as is herein- 
after expressed : — -And further we do will and by these, presents 
for us our Heirs and Successors do ordain, appoint and Direct 
that the minister of said Church for the time being, or in his 
absence from sickness or otherwise, the first Elder of the said 
Church for the time being, shall and may from time to time, 
upon all occasions Assemble and Call together the said Elders 
and Deacons of the said Church for the time being, to consult 
and advise of the Business and affairs of the said church : — And 
further our w'A\ and pleasure is and we do for us, our Heirs and 
Successoi-s, Establish, appoint and Direct that on the first Satur- 
day in December next the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the 
said Church, or the Major part of them shall, at the said church 
chuse, nominate and appoint two of the Communicants of the 
said Church to serve as Elders of the said church for the next 
ensuing yeai-, in the Rooms and stead of Jan Barentse Wemp 
and Gerrit Simonse Veeder, and also two other of the said Com- 
municants to serve as Deacons for the next ensuing year in the 
Rooms and stead of Sander Lansinck and Abraham Treaax : 



102 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



which said two Elders and Deacons ho newly chosen and elect- 
ed as aforesaid shall on New Years Day next ensueing their 
nomination and election, Enter upon and take their respective 
places and continue in and exercise their said respecti\'e offices, 
until other ffitt persons shall be Regularly Chosen in their re- 
spective rooms : And we do for us, our Heirs and Successors 
Grant, appoint and direct that yearly once in the year forever 
hereafter, after the First Day of January next ensuing, that is 
to say on the first Saturday in Deceml)er in every year, at the 
said church, the INIinisters Elders and Deacons of the said Chui-ch 
for the time being, or the Major i)art of them shall nominate, ap- 
point and chuse two of the Communicants of the said Church 
that shall succeed in the offices of Elders, and two others of their 
communicants that shall succeed as Deacons in the i"oom. place 
and stead of the two oldest Elders and two oldest Deacons 
for the year ensuing, which two Elders and Deasons so 
newly chosen and Elected as last aforesaid shall on New 
Year>i Day next ensueing their nominations of Election 
take their respective places and continue in and Execute their 
]-espective offices, from that time until other titt persons be re- 
spectively Elected in their respective rooms and jjlaces ; — And 
if it shall happen that any or either of the aforesaid Elders and 
Deacons so to be Elected, nominated or appointed as aforesaid, 
shall dye, or be removed, or deny, refuse or neglect to officiate 
in the said respective offices of Elders or Deacons before theii- or 
either of their time for Serving therein be exjured, that then 
and in every such case it shall and may be Lawful for the Min- 
ister, Elders and Deacons of the said chui'ch for the time being, 
or the Major part of them to proceed in manner aforesaid to a 
new Election of one or more of their communicants in the i-oom 
or place of such Officer, or officers dying or Removing or deny- 
ing, refusing or Neglecting to officiate in his or their respective 
office or offices as aforesaid ; — And further our Will and pleas- 
ure is, and we do, for us, our Heirs and Successors, Declare and 
Grant that the Patronage, Adowson, Donation or Presentation 
of and to the said chiirch after the Decease or removal of the 
said present minister, or next avoidance, shall appertain and be- 
long to and be hereby vested in, the Elders and Deacons of the 
said refoi'med Protestant Church of Schenectady for the time 
being and their successors forever, together with all such as here- 
tofore have been or hereafter shall have been Elders or Deacons 
of the said church, or the Major i)art of them ; — Provided 
allways that the succeeding Ministers that shall be by them, or 
the major part of them presented, called, instituted and inducted 
into the said Church, shall bear true Faith and allegiance unto 
us. our Heirs and Successors anything contained herein to the 



HISTORY OP^ THE CHURCH. 103 

contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding; — and our will 
and pleasure is, and we do further by these presents Grant and 
Declare that the said present Minister and Incumbent and all 
others, who shall hereafter be Ministei-s of the said reformed 
Protestant Dutch church and shall have the care of the Souls of 
the said members of the said church, shall not nor shall any of 
them, be reinoved from the said church or care unless by and 
with the Direction, consent and A[)probation of the Eldei's and 
Deacons and all those that have been or shall have been, Elders 
and Deacons of the Said church, or the Major part of them ; — 
And our farther will and })leasure is, and we do hereby Further 
Declare that it shall and may be lawful for the Deacons of the 
said church for the time being, or any other Person Sufficiently 
Authorized by them, at all and any time or times when the mem- 
bers of the said church, or any of them, meet and Assemble to- 
gether in the said church for the publick worship or Service of 
God, to collect and (rather together the free and voluntary alms 
of the members of the said churcli, or other persons congregated 
as afoi-esaid, which Alms are to be employed by the Elders and 
Deacons for the time being, or the Major part of them, unto 
such pious and charitable uses as they and their Successors or 
the Major part of them at their Discretion shall think Conven- 
ient and Xeedful ; — and our will and pleasure further is, and Ave 
do hereby Declare that from time to time as need shall require, 
one or more able Minister or Ministers Lawfully ordained accord- 
ing to the Constitutions and Directions aforesaid, shall and may 
be Nominated, Elected, < ailed and Inducted into the said Protes- 
tant Dutch Church, (by the same jiersons, after the same manner 
and in the same form as is before Directed and Declared, in Case 
the said Church or (Jure (?) should be vacant either by the death 
or removal of the present Minister or Incumbent), to be a 
Preacher or Preachers and Assistants to the said Minister and 
his Successors, in the Celebration of the Divine offices of })ray- 
ing and Preaching and other Dutys Incident to and to be per- 
formed in the said Church as shall be required of him by the 
ministers, Elders and Deacons of the said Church, for the time 
being, or the Major part of them and shall likewise from time to 
time Nominate a bell-ringer and Sexton and such other under 
officers as they shall stand in need of, to remain in their respect- 
ive Offices so long as the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the 
said Church for the time being, or the Major part of them, shall 
think fitt; — And we do of our Further speciall Grace, Certain 
knowledge and meer Motion, Give and Grant unto the said 
Minister, Elders and Deacons of the said Church and their Suc- 
cessors forever, that the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the 
said Church for the time being or the Major part of them shall 



104 HISTORY OF THE CIHTRCH. 



have and we have hereby given and Granted unto them, full 
power and authority from time to time and at all times here- 
after, to appoint, alter and change such days and times of meet- 
ings as they, or the Major part of them shall think titt, and to 
Choose, Nominate and Appoint such and so many of our Liege 
People as they, or the Major part of them, shall think litt, who 
shall be willing to accept of being Members of their said Church 
and Corporation and body Politick, and them into the same to 
admitt, and to Elect and Constitutesuchother officer and officers, 
as they, or the Major part of them shall think litt and requisite 
for the Ordering Managing and dis])atching the affairs of the 
said Church and ( 'orporation ; — and from timy to time to make, 
ordain and constitute such rules, Orders and Ordinances for the 
Good discipline and Weal of the Members of the said Cliurch 
and corporation, as they or tlie Major part of them shall think 
fitt, so that those rules, orders and Ordinances be not re])ugnant 
to the Laws of that part of our Kingdom of Great Brittain 
called England and of this our Province, or dissonant to the 
principles of our Protestant Religion, but as near as may Be 
agreeable to our Laws of that part of our Kingdom of Great 
Brittain called England, and Consonant to the Articles of faith 
and Worship of God Agreed upon by the aforesaid Synod of 
Dort ; — And further know ye that we of our abundant' Grace, 
Certain knowledge and meer Motion, Have Given, Granted, 
Ratified and ( ontirmed, and bj^ these presents for us, our Heirs 
and successors, do Give, Grant, Ratifye and Confirm unto the 
said Ministers, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed 
Protestant Dutch Church of Schenectady in the County 
of Albany and their Successors, all that the said Church 
and the ground on which the same stands, which said ground is 
in Breadth from East to West Sixty-five feet, and in Length 
from North to South Eighty feet, and -all benefits, Profits and 
appurtenances to the same belonging, or in anywise appertain- 
ing, — To have and to hold all and singular the ])remises afore- 
said, with the appurtenances, unto them, the said Minister, El- 
ders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of 
Schenectady in the County of Albany aforesaid and their Succes- 
sors : to their only proper use and behoof forever, to be holden 
of us, our Heirs and Successors in free and common Soccage as 
of our Mamior of East Greenwich in oxxr County of Kent, 
M'ith that part of our Kingdom of Great Brittain called England 
yielding, rendring and paying therefor Yearly and every Year 
forever unto us, our Heirs and Successors on the ffeast day of 
the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin INIary, at our City of 
New York, the Annual rent of fiv<.; shillings Current Money of 
our said Province, in Lieu and Stead of all other rents, Dues, 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 105 



Services, Dutys, Claims and Demands Whatsoever for the ])rem- 
ises ; — and we do further will and grant that in case it should 
happen the said Church, by any accident, happen to be burned, 
fall down or come to ruin, the Minister, Elders and Deacons of 
reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Schenectady in the Coun- 
ty of Albany for the time being or the major part of them shall 
and may Build and Erect another Church, in the same or in anv 
other place in Schenectady aforesaid ; — And Lastly we do for 
us, our Heirs and Successors, Ordain and Grant unto the said 
Minister, Elders and Deacons of the said Reformed Protestant 
Dutch Church within Schenectady aforesaid and their Succes- 
sors, by these presents, that this our Grant shall be firm, good, 
effectual and available in all things to the Law to all interests, 
constructions and purposes whatsoeve)-, according to our true In- 
tent and meaning herein before declared ; and shall be Construed, 
rei)Uted and a<ljudge<l in all cases most favorable on the behalf 
and for the* best benelit and behoof of the said Minister, Elders 
and Deacons of the reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Sche- 
nectady and their Successors, Although Express mention of the 
yearly value or certainty of the premises, or any of them, in 
these presents, is not named or any Statute, Act, Ordinance, 
Provision Pioclamation, or restriction lieretofore had, made, en- 
acted. Ordained or Provided, oi- any other matter, clause, or 
thing whatsoever, to the Contrary hereof notwithstanding. 

In Testimony whereof we have caused these our Letters to be 
made patent, and the Great Seal of our said Province to be here- 
unto affixed. 

Witness our trusty and well beloved William Cosby Esqr., 
Ca])t. General and Governor in ( hief of our Province of New 
York and New Jersey and Territories thereon depending in 
America, and Vice Admirall of the same, and Collonell in our 
army in, by and with the advice and consent af our Councill of 
our Province of New York, at our Fort George in New York the 
twenty third of August in the Eighth }ear of our Reign Annoq 
Domini 1734. 



FRED'K MORRIS D. Secy. 



14 



106 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



CHAPTER VII. 

1740-1752. DOMINE CORNELIS VAN SANTVOORD, THE FIFTH 
MINISTER. SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE MINISTER. 
NEW PARSONAGE. 

During the four years succeeding the departure of Domine 
Erichzon, the church was without a settled pastor, but was oc- 
casionally visited by the ministers of Albany — Domines Van 
Schie and Van Driessen, and others, who in that time married 
seventeen couples, baptized 164 children and received thirty 
three persons to the church. 

As early as November, 1736, the Consistory authorised Nich- 
olas Schuyler, one of their number, to send to Holland for a 
successor to Domine Erichzon. The usual salary of £100 and 
])erquisites were promised, to begin fi-om the day he embarked 
from Holland. 

This negociation, after great delay failed, and in November, 
1738, the church authorized Levinus Clarkson and John Living- 
ston, during their stay in Holland, to renew the attempt to pro- 
cure a pastor, but in case of a second faihn-e, resolved to look 
elsewhere. After waiting about two years longer without suc- 
cess, the (;hurch appointed two of their number, Messrs. Vroo- 
maii and Feeling, together with Christopher Bancker and Dom- 
ine Gualterus Du Bois, of New York, to visit and confer with 
Domine Cornells Van Santvoord, of Staten Island, with refer- 
ence to a call from the Church of Schenectady. At this inter- 
view his Consistory demanded in case of his removal, a repay- 
ment to them of the expense they had incurred in bringing him 
from Holland to this country, but were told by Messrs. Vrooman 
and Feeling that they were not authorized to negotiate in rela- 
tion to this matter. Subsequently, however, a compromise was 
effected and in August, 1 740, he began his ministry in Schenec- 
tady. At the time of his settlement here he was 43 years of 
age, and had been pastor of the Church of Staten Island twenty- 
two years. His wife, Anna, daughter of John Staats, of Staten 
Island, died about the year 1744, and the year following he mar- 
ried Elizabetli Toll, of Schenectady, who also died Avithin two 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 107 

years, withoiit issue. He had eight cliildren by his first wife — 
three sons, Cornelis, Staats and Zeger, who outlived him, and 
five daughters, two of whom were not living in 1747. In his 
will he speaks also of a sister, Jacoba, wife of Zeger Hazebroeck, 
of Leyden, where he was born and received his education under 
the dii'ection of Prof. John Marck, of the University of Leyden.* 

Domine Van Santvoord was a man of good natural parts and 
fine culture ; he preached not only in his native tongue, but also 
in the P^'rench and English ; and the sermons which are pre- 
served by his descendants show him to have been a Avriter of no 
mean ability. 

" He was an intimate friend of Domine Freylinghuysen, of Rar- 
itan, sympathising with him in all his trials, while his learning, 
acuteness and manly independence qixalified him to be his advo- 
cate. In this character he appeared in a small volume entitled, 
' A Dialogue between Coiiisiderans and Condidtts.' f He translated 
Prof. Marck's Commentary on the Apocalypse, adding much to 
it by his own reflections. He sent it to Holland for approval, 
and it was not only approved, but adorned with a copious pre- 
face by Prof. Wesselius. The high respect entertained and 
shown by Mr. Van Santvoord for Prof. Marck was but the coun^ 
terpart of the pi-ofessor's esteem for him. He declared that Mr. 
Van Santvoord was one of his most distinguished and ai)t2jupils, 
and he was honored by the professor's friendship to the end of 
his life." X 

Under his ministry the church enjoyed a good degree of pros- 
perity. During the twelve years of his pastorate, he married 
174 couples, baptized 645 children and received 151 members to 
the church. His sudden demise at the early age of 55 years 
was a sad loss to the town. On Christmas day, December 25, 
1751, he was well enough to preach: his text was Luke II, 13, 
14 ; seven days after, on New Year's day, he again ascended 
the pulpit but being too weak to address the congregation closed 

* There is a tradition among his descendants that while Hving in Schenec- 
tady he saw a vision of his sister Jacoba, then living in Leyden. He noted 
the occurrence and learned afterward that she died at the hour when her ap- 
paration was seen by him. 

[+ This work, a copy of which is now in the possession of the Rev. Talbot 
W. Chambers, D.D., of New York, has been translated into English by the 
Rev. W. G. Hamen, of Coxsackie, N. Y. w. e. g.] 

X Brownlee's discourse. 



108 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



the service with a prayer and the customary New Year's bless- 
ing. * Six days afterward, January 6, 1752, he died, f 

For nearly three years succeeding the death of Doniine Van 
Santvoord the church was destitute of a pastor, and only occa- 
sionally visited by a minister. Domine Theodorus Freylinghuy- 
sen, of Albany, most commonly supplied the pulpit — sometimes 
a pastor from a more distant church, as Domine Vrooraan, of 
New Paltz, or a divinity student. J 

In this time thirteen couples were married, 119 children bap- 
tised and fifty-seven persons added to the church. 

Preparatory to Calling a new pastor the church opened a sub- 
scription, in 1752, for the support of the ministry — the amounts 
subscribed to be paid yearly and the subscribers, of whom there 
were 168, also agreeing to increase their seat rent from five to 
six shillings each and to forfeit their sittings, provided this sum 
was not paid within six months after it became due. 

[* See page 22. This aucient form of the New Year's blessing was effect- 
ively and beautifully spoken upon the people by Domine Wortman, on Mon- 
day evening, June 21, 1880. w. E. G.] 

t " 1 75 1 Den 25 December heeft Do. Van Santvoort zyn laaste predikatie 
gedaen op Kersdag en zyn text was uyt Lucas 2 Verse 13, 14, Luydende 
aldus ; — Ende Van Stonden den was doer met den Engel ean menighte des 
hemelschen heyrleger.-, prysende Godt ende seggende &c. Agt [seven] dayen 
daar na op neuwe year heeft hy de stoel Weder beklommen meer te swak 
synde omte preek heeft hy syn Dienst voor het laaste besloten met een gebet 
ende se"-en sens gewoonelyk op neuwe year, en is 6 dagen daarna te weten 
op den 6 Januare 1752 in de heere gerust." — Abraham DeGraaf 's Bible. 

X The church treasurer's book shows the following sums paid for occasional 
supplies during this period : 

1752 April 8. Dom. Freylinghuysen, .^^3-1°- 

" Aug. 10. do do 3- 

" Dec. 27. do do 3~ 

1753 30 April. do do 3- 

" Aug. 13. do do 5- 

" 19 Aug. Dom. Vrooman, 5~ 

" 10 Sept. do Freylinghuysen, i- 

" 18 Dec. do do 3-10- 

1754 Jan. een Student, 1-4- 

" " Dom. Freylinghuysen, I- 

" Mar. 16. do Vrooman 5" 4- 

do Menema i- 4~ 

De student Henderikus Freylinghuysen i- 4- 

Goetschius, — Student i- 4~ 



HISTORY OY THE CHURCH. 109 

The sums subscribed varied from one to thirty-six shillings, 
and amounted in all to £66-2 ($165.25). This together with 
the rents from seats, church Mill, Eenkluy's "poorpasture," and 
the quit rents from farms donated by the Trustees of the Com- 
mon Lands, made a sum sufficient to meet the current expenses 
of the church. 

The ancient parsonage house on the East corner of Union and 
Church streets had now stood about fifty years and was falling 
into decay. It was removed, therefore, in 1753, and a new one, 
a story and a half high, was erected on the same lot. It was 
built in the pointed Dutch style fronting Union street, Avith two 
rooms in front and a gable above the middle door. This house 
stood about 60 years until it gave place to the church of 1814. * 



CHAPTER Vni. 

1754-1784. DOMixE barent vrooman the sixth minister. 

The sixth minister of the church was Domine Barent Vroo- 
man. He was the first native of the Province and the only one 
of this city ever called to this sacred office. His great grand- 
father, Hendrick Meese Vrooman, one of the Pioneer settlers of 
the place, together with his son Bartholomew was killed in 1690, 
in the sacking of the Village by the French. Among those who 
escaped w^as his son Adam, whose wife and child were massa- 
cred, whilst his sons Wouter and Barent were carried away cap- 
tive into Canada, whence they did not return until many years 
after. Wouter was but ten years old when thus cruelly separa- 
ted from his parents. On his return he married Marytie Hallen- 
beck, of Albany, about the year 1708. Thirteen children were 
the issue of this marriage, of whom nine w^ere living in 1748, 
when the father made his will. He died Oct. 26th, 1756, aged 
75 years. 

* The bricks used in its construction were made by Jacobus Van Vorst at 
£i. ($2.50) a thousand. Tire masons were GiUis Van Vorst, William Hall, 
Jan Baptist Van Vorst and Ephraim Smith — the carpenters, Nicolaas De- 
Graaf and Johannes Hall ; and the smith, Harmanus Hagadorn. 

— Church treasurer's book. 



110 HISTORY OF THE C^IIURCH. 

The subject of this notice, the eleventh child of Wouter 
Vrooman, was born on the 24th of December, 1725. He began 
his studies for the ministry under the direction of Do. Van 
Santvoord and finished them with Do. Theodore Frelinghuysen, 
of Albany. Having received a call to the church of New Paltz, 
Feb. 4th, 1751, he sailed for Holland soon after to complete his 
theological studies at the University of Utrecht and obtain or- 
dination. On the 7th of Jan., 1752, he was licensed and on the 
7th of Mar., 1753, was ordained by the classis of Utrecht. He 
sailed soon after from fatherland with three other young clergy- 
men — Johannes Schuneman, Jacobus and Ferdinandus P^i'eling- 
huysen, of whom the last two died at sea of the small pox. * 

After visiting his friends in Sclienectady he returned to New 
Paltz, and on the 26 of Aug., 1758, was inducted into his office 
as pastor of the congregation of New Paltz, Shaw an gunk and 
Wallkil. His parish embraced a tei-ritory of more than two 
hundred square miles ; and the ancient church whose corner 
stone was laid by his hands is still used as a house of worship. 

The church in Schenectady had been without a pastor more 
than two years when he returned from Holland, and it does not 
appear that within this time they had ma<le any attem])t to find 
one, Twt within one month after Do. Vrooman's Installation at 
New Paltz tbey gave him a call here. 

These facts seem to show that from the time of Do. Van 
Santvooi-d's death they had only awaited his return to make him 
his successor. 

Although his beroepbrief, or call, is dated Sept. IStli, 1753, he 
was not dismissed from his charge at Wallkil until Oct. 29th, 
1754. 



* "We announce with great sorrow that the Messrs. Freylinghuysen (Ja- 
cobus and Ferdinandus) have, while at sea, been removed from this life by 
small pox, to the great regret of their surviving brethren, and of the Congre- 
gations for whom they had been ordained to the ministry, by the laying on of 
hands of your Reverend Body. 

In the meantime, the other two gentlemen, Vrooman and Schunemen, have 
been installed in their congregations, in the hope that they will be faithful in- 
struments, in the hand of Jesus, for the extension of his gracious kingdom." 

Letter of the Coetus to the Classis of Amsterdam igth Sept. 1753. 

-Min. Gen. Synod I, LXXXVIII. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. ill 

Call for the Reverend and Learned Domine Barent Vr.ooman, 
minister at the Paltz, Walenkill, &g., in Ulster county, as pas- 
tor and teacher of the Low Dutch Reformed Church of Jesu8 
Christ, here at Schenectady, in the (bounty of Albany, in the 
Province of New York. 

Since, God, who rules and orders all things according to the 
counsel of His own will, in His adorable good pleasure has 
been jjleased to our great grief, to deprive our Chui'ch of Sche- 
nectady in the Province of New York, of their Reverend pas- 
tor and teacher, Coi-nelis Van Santvoord, who rested in the Lord 
on the oth of January, 1752, and since the Consistory of our 
said church after the death of our aforenamed teacher, Cornells 
Van Santvoordt, with the consent and approbation of the Great 
Consistory, have endeavored under God's Holy blessing, to choose 
and call hei-e a pious minister ; but it has not until now, pleased 
the Lord that we should make a call; and as it has pleased God, 
who rules and orders all things to grant your Reverence a safe 
arrival out of Holland, at your birth place here in Schenectady 
to your Honored father and friends, where at the request 
of the Consistory, your reverence has five times preached 
and proclaimed the gospel to us to the gi'eat satisfaction of our 
whole church : and having seen your pious and praiseworthy 
gifts, and edifying talents, after mature deliberation, and with 
the general assent and unanimity of the Great Consistory assem- 
bled on the loth of this month we resolved in the fear of the 
Lord, to call you, the Rev. Barent Vrooman, as the pastor and 
teacher of our church here at Schenectady. Wherefore the 
present Consistory of the Low Dutch Reformed Church of Sche- 
nectady, Hendrick Brouwer, John Sanders, Cornells Van Slyck 
and Gerret A. Lansignh, elders, and Simon Tol, Johannes Hall, 
Elias Post and Johannes Van Antwerpen, Deacons, do in 
our names herewith call the Reverend, pious and learned 
Domine Barent Vrooman as our public pastor the Holy 
word purely to preach, the Holy Sacraments' according 
to the Institution of Christ to administer — to catechise — to 
exercise ecclesiastical discipline and oversight over this Church ; 
and furthermore all things to do that the oflice of a faithful 
servant of Jesus Christ enjoins, according to the rules of the 
Christain Synod of Dordrecht, holden in the years 1618 and 
1619, and in use in the Low Dutch reformed Churches here es- 



112 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

tablished. And for your more especial and particular informa- 
tion, it will be your Reverence's duty, when in health, to preach 
every Lord's day twice, and in the afternoon to treat of subjects 
from the catechism according to the the order of the Heidel 
bergh Catechism ; and the children twice a week to catechise — 
that is on Sunday after the second sermon and during the week 
on the day which your Reverence shall please to elect — on Eas- 
ter, Whitsunday, Christmas aad other festivals to preach, as 
hitherto among us has been the edifying custom ; four times a 
year the Holy Communion to celebrate; to visit the households 
of the church twice a year in Schenectady and once a year in 
the neighborhood, and to ba})tise and register the Christian 
children. 

And that your Reverence while among us may have nothing 
to do but to preach in the chui-ch, we promise your Reverence 
in accordance with the power granted us by our gi-eat consistory, 
on the 15th day of this month of September and with the assent 
of our church, that a yearly salary of one hundred and ten pounds 
current money of the Province of New York — a just fourth part 
at the end of every quarter year from time to time during your 
Reverence's faithful service and ministration here at Schenec- 
tady shall be paid promptly by the ruling consistory or by their 
order ; and your salary shall commence from the day of your 
dismissal from your church of the Paltz, Waalenkil, &c. 

Moreover your Reverence shall have a good house belonging 
to us rent free and kept in good repair, a good garden kept in 
fence, also free pasture for two cows, and a horse if jonr Rever- 
ence be pleased to keep one, and sixty loads of fire wood deliv- 
ered at the door yearly. 

All this we promise you by virtue of the beforementioned or- 
der and resolution of our church, for the making up of a suffi- 
cient salary ; and for the precise performance of the same, we 
bind and obligate ourselves and our successors, as Elders and 
Deasons of our church for the time being. 

This then being our affectionate and final call to you, the Rev- 
erand, pious and learned Barent Vrooman in the name of our 
church of Schenectady, it is our persistent desire tluit you (con- 
sidering the necessities of our church in respect to its much de- 
sired edification and the upbuilding of the same in the most holy 
faith) will please to accept, with hearty inclination this oiu- 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 1 13 

Christian call, in the name of the Lord — in our behalf and in the 
name of the whole church promising to hold your Reverence in 
.such esteem, love and honor as is due to an upright teacher in 
a Reformed Churcli. 

We likewise request the honored bretheren, the elders and 
deacons of the church of the Paltz, Waalenkil, &c., and those to 
whom this our call shall be offered, as speedily as possible, to 
dismiss the Reverend Domine Barent Vrooman from his service 
at the Paltz, Waalenkil, etc., to which end the church of Sche- 
nectady recognize the justice of their sharing with the aforesaid 
church of the Paltz, Waalenkil, tfcc, in the expense to whicli 
tliey were put in seiiding Domine Vrooman over to Holland to be 
ordained. 

Finally, we pray the great Shepherd of the sheep this our call 
to follow with his divine blessing, that the same may redown to 
the magnifying of God's holy name, the upbuilding of his church 
and the winning and salvation of many souls. Amen. 

Thus done by us, the present Consistory of the Low Dutch 
Reformed Protestant Church at Schenectady, and with the seal 
of our church ratified the 18th day of September Anno 1753. 

Signed and sealed with the seal of ^ hendrick Brouwer, Eldej- 
our Church in the presence of ^- John Sanders, " 

us, Isaac Vrooman, JohnFairley. ) Cornells Van Sleyk, " 

Gerrit a Lansing, " 

Seymon Tol, 
Johainiis Hall, 
Elias Post, 

Johannis V. Antwerpen. 
Domine Vrooman arrived in Schenectady on the first day of 
November, 1754, and on the third day preached his first sermon.* 
On the 17th he was installed, Domine Frelinghuysen, of Albany, 
l)reaching the sermon on that occasion. 

The expense and trouble of calling a minister 100 years ago 
is very imperfectly understood by those of the present day. All 
candidates in theology were obliged to spend more or less time 
at a University in Fatherland, and after their ordination thev 

* Nov. I 1754, Domine Vroman heir gekomen. 

Nov. 3, syn eerste text Jesaias III, lo, ii. Segget den regtveerdigen dat 
het hem wel gaan sal, Sec 

— Abraham De Graaf s Bible. 
15 



114 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

returned at the expense of the churches calling them. In case 
of a subsequent removal it was customary for the chui'ch making 
the call to pay a portion of this expense. 

The call of Domine Vrooman cost the church of Schenectady 
$563, nearly half of which was paid to the three churches of 
New Paltz, Walkil and Shawangunk. 

The various items of expenditures are shown in the following- 
statement drawn up by the Consistory : 

" A memorandum of expenditures made by the Consistory in 
calling Do. Vrooman from New Paltz : * 

1753. To Cornells Van Slyck and Isaac Vrooman to tender 

the call £5-12-0 

1754. To Joseph R Yates for his horse 12 days for 

Philip Reylie to make inquiry concerning his 

coming 1- 4-0 

Sept. To Gerrit H. Lansing and Joseph R. Yates, by 
order of the full Consistory, sent to New 
York to request Do. Vrooman's dismission by 
the Cojtus there, in the presence of Do. Vroo- 
man, which was found fruitless £6- 8-0 

To the Skipjjer for bringing up some goods fi-om New 
York and for riding the same from Albany 
for Do. Vrooman 1-13-0 

To Abraham Mebie and Isaac Vrooman to fetch the 
Domine from his station at New Paltz 
and satisfy those churches — for their expense 
and trouble having been gone 16 days with 
their horses 12- 0-0 

To Claas Van Patten for shoeing a horse 2- 6-0 

To three ministers who gave the Domine his dismis- 
sion there and wrote the call — for their 
trouble 10-0-0 

For a sloop hired to bring up the Domine's goods from 

Sopus 4-10- 

♦ Een memorie van de koste die de Kerkenraat Gedaen hebbe voor Dom : 
Vrooman te beroepe van de pals in als volght vizt: 

1753. An Cornelis V. Slyck En Isack Vrooman voor hat Beroep hem an te 

biede /5-12-0 

1754. An Joseph R. Yates voor 12 Dage van zyn paert met Philip 

Reylie om Een ondersack to Doen van zyn komst i- 4-0 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 115 

For traveling expenses of Abraham Mebie and Isaac 

Vrooman 2- 7-2 

To £50 in satisfaction for a horse from the churches 

for Do. Vi'ooman 50- 0-0 

To £19-14 as a payment to the church of New Paltz 19-14-0 

1756, May 22, To £66-6 as a payment to the church 

of Do. Vrooman at Shawangunk and Walkil 66- 6-0 



£182-0-6 
To the Consistory of New Paltz" 43 

Total [1563] £225-0-6 

In 1774, and for several succeeding years he officiated occas- 
ionally at Caughnawaga, for which he received an additional 
compensation of £25 yearly from his Consistory. The deprecia- 
tion of the currency during the revolutionary war compelled the 
church to raise the nominal salary of their pastor. Thus, in 1770, 
by reason of "descaarst ti/den," they agree to add to it £12 
quarterly. 

On June 25, 1779, the church paid a half year's salary in the 
following sums : 
" To Domine Vrooman 500 dollars Continental at 5 for 

one," £200- 0-0 

'' To ditto in hard money 5- 0-0 

and £10 in corn from the mill," * 10-0-0 

On 16th of September, a quarterly salary was paid as follow^s : 

" To Domine Vroomon 462 Dolls and 1-6," £184-17-6 

"And in hard money 3- 6-6 

"at 10 for one the money being so bad."t 

Domine Vrooman's final sickness commenced about 1780, 
from which time he was frequently aided by his clerical breth- 
ren from abroad — Rev. Elias Van Benschoten of Schaghticoke, 
Rev. Theodoric Romeyn of Hackensack, N. J., Rev. Jacob R. 
Hardenburgh of Marbletown, Rev. Nicholas Lansing of Living- 

* Aen Domine Vrooman 500 Dolders Contenenteel en 5 voor een... ;^200- 

Aen ditto Vrooman aen hart gelt 5~ 

ande ;i^io aen koren uyt de meulen voor een half yaer tractament. 

t Aen Domine Vrooman 462 Dolders en 1-6 ;^i84-i7-6 

ende aen hart gelt 3~ 6-6 

Voor I yaer tractament tegen 10 voor een het gelt so sleght te syn. 



IIG HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

ston Manor, and others. For these occasional services the con 
sistory usually paid from £3-5 to £4 (8 to 10 Dolls.) for each 
Sabbath's services, which sum seems to have included travelling 
expenses. In the spring of 1784 his condition became hopeless, 
and on March 11th the consistory resolved to call another min 
ister to be co pastor with him, who, they say, "has now for a 
long time in God's Providence been visited with a dangerous 
palsy in his right side, which has afflicted his Reverence to that 
degree as wholly to incapacitate him for the performance of 
Divine service." * 

On the 4th of Ajyril the Consistory came to an understanding 
with him, by which he was to continue to receive his salary of 
£110 and £10 yearly for the rent of a house, and if he recovered 
was to officiate half the time in the church with Do. Romeyn, 
whom they had called on that day. He lived to see his successor 
installed and died on the 13th" of Nov. 1784, at the age of 59 
years. 

He was married to Alida, daughter of David Vander Heyden, 
of Albany, on the 12th of January, 1760. She survived him 
nearly 50 years, dying in 1 823, aged 99 years. The fruit of this 
marriage was three children, — David, Maria Dorothea and 
Walterus. The last two lived to mature age. Maria married 
John Louis Victor Le Tonnelier, by whom she had one son, the 
late Dr. John Samuel Le Toimelier of New York. David left 
no descendants. 

The following notices of Do. Vrooman and his people are 
taken from the Essex (Mass.) Institute Historical collections : 

1758. " Dined with Domine Vrooman Predikant in Schen 
ectady — in height 6 feet 4 inches and ^, and everyway large in 
proportion; preaches without notes with little premeditation. Ex- 
plains a text A. M., and preaches Divinity in ye afternoon, as 
he has bin pleas'd to inform me several times. The People here 
attend their Publick religious exercises with great Devotion." 

[Extracts from Rev. Daniel Shute's Journal.] 

***** die nu alvoor langh tydt, onder het Vreymatige der God- 
elyke Voorsienigheidt besoght is gewest, met eene gevaarlyke Beroerte in 
syn reghte syde welke syn E. dermaten heeft aangetroffen dat syn E. gansch 
onbekwaam is ter Waarneminge van den Evangelie Dienst. 

— Consistory Minutes. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 1 1 7 

1758. " Tuesday [June] 20th, this day tarried at Schenec- 
tady, took some view of the town, M'hich is very pleasantly and 
compactly situated ; according to my judgement it is large as 
Charlestown, near Boston ; they have a stone chh, or meeting- 
house ; the minister is a Dutchman and so are the generality of 
the people." 

22. " Thursday. We attended prayers and then supped at 
our new lodgings, having dined with Domine Vroom[an] the 
Dutch minister of Schenectady." 

24. " Saturday. At prayers this evening I made a speech 
of some length to the Regiment as they were to march the next 
day early ; there were present many of the towns people, both 
men and women. The people of the town are very sorry that 
we must march from them. 

The People of Schenectady were quite a civil and they have 
quite a good sort of a man to their Minister." 

[Extract from the journal of Rev. John Cleveland, Chaplain 
of Col. Jonathan Bagley's Regiment in the French war of 
1758]. 

During his pastorate of 30 years Do. Vrooman married 386 
couples, * baptised 3,521 children and received to the church 453 
members, "f 

Time has destroyed most of the traditions of his ministry ; it 
is stated, however, by one who knew the fathers of thisjchurch in 
the early years of this century, " that Domine Vrooman had 
more heart than Doctor Romeyn, and did more to gain the hearts 
of the people — was more familiar and social. The latter was 
elevated and perhaps distant — had far more learning, was more 
intellectual and theological, but not so popular." 

* From June 25th, 1775, to June 9th, 1775, no record was made (or if 
made has been lost) of any marriages, and only three for the yeai 1 766. 

+ From October, 1772, to July 19th, 1783, no members were received ac- 
cording to the record. Do. Romeyn's complete list, however, made in 1785, 
soon after his arrival, shows that 18 members were then living who were re- 
ceived in 1773, but that in the nine years intervening between 1773 and 1783 
none were admitted to the church. 



118 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



CHAPTER IX. 

1784-1804. DOMINE ROMEYN THE SEVENTH MINISTER. AGITA- 
TION OF THE CHURCH ABOUT ENGLISH PREACHING. 

With the waning century passed away many of the ancient 
church customs inherited from Fatherland. Domine Romeyn was 
the last of that long line of ministers who had from the days of 
Thesschenmaecker conducted the entire services of the church 
in the Dutch language. His active spirit infused a new influ- 
ence into the church and little community ; an influence which 
is felt to this time in the educational institutions of the city. 

He was born in Hackensack. N. J., the youngest child of 
Nicholas Romeyn and Rachel Vreeland. The rudiments of his 
education he acquired partly under the tuition of his brother, the 
Rev. Thomas Romeyn, then minister of the Reformed Dutch 
churches on the Delaware, and partly under that of the Rev. 
Doctor Johannes H. Goetschius, pastor of the Reformed Dutch 
cluH-ches of Hackensack and Schraalenbergh, N. J. In 1763 he 
became a member of Princetown College, tlien under the care 
of Pi-esident Finley, and was graduated in 1765. 

" At the early age of nine years it pleased God, as he hoped, 
to make him a subject of his special grace. He made a public 
profession of his faith in the Lord Jesus either at the close of 
his 16th or at the beginning of his 17th year. Contemplating 
the work of the ministry from the time when it pleased God to 
call him by his grace, he combined the acquisition of theology 
with that of human hnowledge. In consequence of this he was 
early qualified to offer himself for the ministry to the Reverend 
Coetus of the Reformed Dutch Church. That body, after two 
days of examination, sustained his trials and admitted him into 
the ministry. He was ordained by the Rev. John Schureman 
and the Rev. Joliannes H. Goetsching, as pastor of the united 
churches of Marl)letown, Rochester and Wawarsinck, on the 
14th of May, 1766. In 1775 he accepted a call from the united 
congregations of Hackensack and Schraalenbergh in New Jer- 
sey, and was installed pastor of the same by Rev. Samuel Ver 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 119 



bryck. Here he remained throughout the Revolutionary war, 
preaching whenever he could, suffering with his people and en- 
couraging them by his word and example." * 

In 1778, six years before Do. Vrooman's death, this church 
invited Do. Romeyn to visit Schenectady, apparently with the 
intent of calling him to be their assistant minister, jit was 
not, however, until April, 1784 that the formal call was ten- 
dered. After due deliberation it was accepted on the 26th of 
August, X and on the first Sabbath of November he was installed 
by the Rev. Dr, Westerlo, of Albany. |1 

The salary promised in this call was £140 ($350), with free 
house rent, garden, pasture for two cows and a horse, and sev- 
enty loads of fire wood delivered at the door. In 1796 this was 
raised to £200 Avith the promise of a pension of £30 to his 
widow in case of his deatli, and in 1797 £100, and in 1798 and 
1799 £50 were added to his regular salary on account of the 
high price of provisions. ** 

Among his first labors in Schenectady was an attempt to im- 
prove the schools and establish an Academy and seminary, ft 
The result was a charter for Union College, which institution he 
lived to see commence its pros))erous career under the manage- 
ment of Doctors John Blair Smith, Jonathan Edwards and Jon- 
athan Maxey. Xt 

For some years after his settlement here this Avas the only 
Dutch Reformed church within the ancient limits of the town, 
and as a consequence the congregation then quite numerous, 
was much scattered, and the pastoral care laborious. In a com- 
munication to the Consistory made in 1793, Do. Romeyn states 
that the accountable members of the church amounted to a few 

* Alden's Epitaphs, IV, 223. 

t Letter dated Mar. 14, 1778. 

t Letter. 

II Alden's Epitaphs IV, 223. — Do. Westerloo was paid for his services on 

this occasion, ;^9-6-8. 

** Church books. 

i-f 17th May, 1785. The Reverend President [Romeyn] reported in the vil- 
lage of Schenectady some disasters relative to the school to be established at 
that place had prevented the scheme from being carried into effect: where- 
fore the matter of a Seminary at that place is further intrusted to the gentle- 
men appointed on the Committee. — Min. Gen. Synod, I, 135. 

tJ Appendix B. 



120 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

less than 600, who were so scattered that it was impossible for 
one minister to look after them. Whereupon the Consistory- 
took into consideration the calling of a second minister, and re- 
solved to call a meeting of the Great Consistory to deliberate on 
this matter. 

On the third of September the Great Consistory approved of 
the project, but counselled the acting consistory to increase the 
subscription for a second minister, to £150.* Acting in ac- 
cordance with this advice, on the 1st day of October, 1794, three 
persons were proposed from whom a choice was to be made, 
viz. : 

Rev. Nicholas Van Vranken, of Fishkill, Rev. James Van 
Campen Romeyn, of Greenbush, and Proi)onent Jacob Sickels. 

The first named was chosen, and on the 7th of Nov., the con- 
sistory resolved to pay him a salary of £200, sixty loads of wood 
free pasture for a horse and two cows, or £25 yearly instead and 
one-half the perquisites of the office. 

March 16th 1795, Do. Van Vranken answered that he would 
perhaps accept the call provided a house were furnished him — a 
condition which was not complied with, for on the 27th of April 
he declined the call and the consistory thereupon appointed Mr. 
Jacob Sickels, then a student of theology. He came to Sche- 
nectady in October, 1795, and remained nearly two years, leav- 
ing in the summer of 1797. 

After his departure Do. Romeyn remained sole minister of 
the church for five years with the exception of the occasional 
assistance of a Catechiser for the children, f 



— *Consistory minutes. 

t 25 Dec. 1798. The Consistory, considering the propriety of appointing a 
person to catechise the youth and others of this congregation in the country, 
recommended to the succeeding consistory the appointment of Mr. Harmanus 
Van Vleck as suited to this work. 

4 June, 1799. Agreeable to the recommendation of the 25th December 
last, the consistory proceeded to appoint H. Van Vleck "to catechise the 
youth of this congregation for six months ; one week on the North and the 
other on the South side of the river nnd so on alternately ; and that he attend 
two or three days in the week at such places as the consistory shall recom- 
mend, and that he receive for such service at the end of six months the sum 
of;^25." 

— Consistory minutes. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 121 



And though the duties required of him in maintaining the 
oversight of so large and scattered a congregation was a severe 
tax upon his physical power, his first serious illness did not occur 
until the summer of 1801,* when the church granted him a 
much needed vacation, and at the beginning of the following 
year set about in earnest the procuring a coadjutor, f 

By the middle of the year 1802 he became permanently inca- 
pacitated for the full perfoimance of his ministerial duties and 
agreed to relinquish all claims upon the church under his call 
aSd to accept instead a salary of $520. He was required to 
preach but one sermon on the Sabbath — in Dutch. X 

In October the church called the Rev. John Hardenburg 
Meier, of New Paltz, as an assistant minister, and in the spring 
following he entered upon his labors. Dr. Romeyn survived 
nearly ayear and closed his labors on earth on the 1 6th of April, 
1804, at the age of 60 years. 

He married Elizabeth, daughter of Wessel and Catliarine 
(Dubois) Brodhead, of Ulster county, June 11, 1707. 

Two children arrived at maturity — John Brodhead Romeyn, 
who died 22d of February, 1825, in his 4:7th year, pastor of the 
Cedar Street Church, New York, and Catharine Theresa, wife 
of Caleb Beck, of Schenectady. 

Mrs. Romeyn died at Schenectady Jan. 27, (?) 1815, aged 74 
years, 7 months and 11 days. 

During Dr. Romeyn'.s ministry in Schenectady, he mar- 
ried 945 couples, baptised 3541 children, and received to the 



*3d Aug. i8oi. "Dr. Romeyn, our Pastor, having been visited with in- 
disposition such as requires relaxation and exercise, therefore requested leave 
of absence for a time to recover his health." 

"Resolved that leave be given him accordingly in confidence that he will 
resume his service as soon as he is able." —Consistory Min. 

t I St Mar. i8o2, the Consistory called a meeting of the Great Consistory 
to consider the state of the church, &c., and in view of Dr. Romeyn's age and 
growing infirmities, " Resolved that it is expedient to call a second minister.'' 

— Consistory Minutes. 

t 30th Aug. 1802. The nature of Dr. Romeyn's disease is shovra in the 
preamble to the resolutions passed by the Consistory on this occasion. 

"Whereas it has pleased Divine Providence to afflict this congregation by 
a visitation of his faithful servant, the Rev. Dirck Romeyn, our worthy pastor, 
with an infirmity apparently partaking in its nature of the palsy, &c. 

— Consistory Minutes. 
16 



122 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

church 248 members. In the beginning of the year 1785 he 
made a complete list of the members living, which amounted 
to 414. 

Doctor Romeyn * was a man, who lived not for himself, but 
for God and his fellow-creatures. To his exertions the public 
are indebted, first for the Academy, which formerly existed in 
Schenectady, and afterward for the establishment of Union Col- 
lege in that place. In 1797 the General Synod of the Reformed 
Dutch Church elected him one of tlieir Professors of Theology." 
^ " He was blessed with a vigoi'ous mind. His passions were 
strong but they were controlled by reason and grace. His liter- 
ary, scientific and professional acquirements were so respectable 
as to entitle him to a rank among the first of his brethren in his 
own or any sister church. He was open and frank in his dispo- 
sition, affable and unassuming in his manners. He was pos- 
sessed of a noble independence of spirit, and few have ever dis- 
played an equal liberality of conduct. 

In the discharge of his duty he exhibited the zeal of the prim- 
itive disciples of Jesus, and he never knew what it was to fear 
the face of any man upon earth His boldness of address like 
that of Paul, was not unf requently sufficient to make a Felix 
tremble. He was solemn in his rebukes, tender in his expostu- 
lations and pursuasive in his instructions. The style of his 
preaching was bold, plain, pungent, intelligent, sometimes pathe- 
tic and always eloquent. His sermons, tlie fruit of deep investi- 
gation, were replete with the most important and most interest- 
ing instruction, and they were uniformly delivered in the most 
natural and impressive manner ; yet the Great Head of the church 
did not see fit to gi-ant him that extensive visible success, which 
often attend the labors of those who to human appearance, are 
greatly his inferiors as to ministerial abilities and graces. It 
was in reference to this fact that his son added the scriptural 
passage which forms apart of his monumental inscription. The 
rest of the epitaph was written — except the dates and those parts 
depending upon them — by Doctor Romeyn himself. 

The subject of this article Avas an able counsellor, a sincere 
friend, an honest man, a dignified and affectionate husband and 
parent. 

* The following estimate of Dr. Romeyn's character is taken from Alden's 
Epitaphs, IV, 223. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 123 



He was but once married and left two children, a t^on and a 
daughter." 

" The late Rev. John H. Meier, colleague and successor of 
the venerable Doctor Ronieyn, delivered a sermon, occasioned 
bv his death, from the manuscript copy of which the following 
characteristic sketch is here preserved." 

" Perhaps no period of his life was filled up with more affect 
ing and trying incidents than during his stay among that peo- 
ple (his first charge). For the space of seven years he was in a 
state of continued exile by means of the war, and subject with 
his family to all its painful calamities. 

" In all his perils and sojournings to and fro, a merciful God 
presei-ved his servant in his way and gave him once more, upon 
the return of peace, to return to his home and his charge in 
peace and safety. 

" Since his advent to this place the details of his life are bet- 
ter known to you than to me. They are doubtless still fresh in 
the memory of you all. Besides others of an ordinary nature, 
he has uniformly had in view the })rosecution of two peculiarly 
favorite and highly interesting objects. From the moment he 
arrived among you he contemplated the establishment of a col- 
lege, nor did he lose sight of his object, until by uninterrupted 
exertions and the co-operation of others he compassed his wishes 
and gained his purpose. It is perhaps but justice to declare that 
to his more than to the exertions of any other person we are in- 
debted for the present Institution. The other object equally 
near and more dear to his heart, for which he labored Avith equal 
zeal and perseverance, was the extension of the Church. Much 
praise is due to him for his unwearied and unremitted exertions 
in this respect. They were crowned with success, and the wil- 
derness is glad in consequence tliereof. Whilst in this quarter 
of Zion he has yielded his church and its interests the most 
essential services, may these be duly appreciated and rightly ac- 
knowledge. 

"He has been j)articularly successful in training young men for 
the ministry. A})pointed at first by the judicature of his church 
to the oflice of a teacher and afterwards in 1797, to the office of 
professor of theology, he continued to discharge the incumbent 
duties with honor to himself and to the benefit of others till the 
close of this life. The pupils of his care lift up their voices in 



124 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

the cities and instruct in the Avilds. As an evidence of the high 
respect he commanded in society he was twice honored with the 
offer of the Presidency of Queens [now Rutger's] College, and 
received at her hand, as a tribute of respect due to his merit, the 
degree of Doctor of Divinity. 

" He maintained through life a conspicuous and elevated 
standing, was respected and revered, and departed this life with 
a high and well-earned reputation. After having run well and 
served his God in the Gospel for the space of thirty-eight years, 
he finished his course in the sixty-first year of his age on the 
16th day of April, 1804. 

" The Rev. Doctor Romeyn was of manly stature, tall and 
portly, dignified in his mien and commanding in his manners 
and address. He, moreover, possessed a mind strong and ener- 
getic and more than ordinarily comprehensive, capable of view- 
ing thing in their natures, their connexions, their dependencies 
and ends. His apprehension was quick, his understanding clear 
and informed. His judgement was sound and mature and his 
memory remarkably retentive. In the application of these 
powers of mind he was chiefly bent upon his professional stiid- 
ies. In these he most delighted and labored the most of all to 
excel. He, however, had also a thirst for the Pierian Spring, 
and pressed forward to the scholar's goal. He was well versed 
in the circles of general science, well read in history and had 
made no mean attainments in the philos23hy of the human mind. 
In this latter his talent perhaps was most im})rovable. To him 
the name of scholar and divine was not misap})lied. 

" In the discharge of his ministerial functions he proved him- 
self an able minister of the New Testament — a watchman that 
needed not to be ashamed. As he had loved the doctrines of 
Grace and had experienced their power and influence on his own 
heart, so also he insisted upon them in his public ministra- 
tions. His theme universally was Christ and him crucified. 
His manner was bold, intrepid and daring. In the execution of 
his duries he was neither daunted nor moved. He was the 
Boanerges of the day. When he reproved the sinner trembled. 
When he pronounced Ebal's curses against the wicked, it was 
like the thunders of Sinai. He was, however, not incapable of 
the pathetic. He could at times move the heart and melt the 
audience into tears. His discourses were solid and interesting, 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 125 

ofttimes enlivened by historical anecdotes. In the introduction of 
these he was peculiarly happy. He always entered deep into his 
subject. His delivery was animated and unaffected, without 
ostentation and becoming his subject. He aimed at nothing but 
what was perfectly natural. 

"In his intercourse with the world he supported a becoming 
dignity. Inde})endence of action marked his path through its busy 
rounds. He knew not how to dissemble. He was polite to all, 
familiar with few. This rendered the circle of his intimates con- 
tracted and the number of his confidential friends small. In his 
conversation he was interesting, always instructing. His family, 
in hira, have lost an affectionate relative, a watchful guardian, 
and a great example ; the church a pillar, and society an orna- 
ment. 

" He was an ardent advocate of religious and civil liberty. 
This he evinced by resisting the pretentions of the mother 
church in Holland, and by his firm attachment to the principles 
of the Revolution." 

During the ministry of Dr. Romeyn the church was seriously 
disturbed on the subject of English preaching. Thirty years 
before, in 1764, this innovation had been first made, in the Dutch 
church of New York city, by the Rev. Dr. Archibald Laidlie. 

English had been the ofticial language of the executive and 
legislative branches of the government, as well as the judiciary 
of the Province, from the time of the surrender by the Dutch in 
1664, and before the close of the last century was better under- 
stood, perhaps, by the youths of the villages and cities than their 
native Dutch. 

In 1794, when the agitation commenced, there were two 
churches in Schenectady — the Episcopal and Presbyterian, in 
which weekly services were held in the English language. 

To prevent the members of the Dutch congregation from be- 
ing enticed away from their own church, on the 6th of Febru 
ary, 1794, Messrs. Joseph Yates, Abram Oothout, Dirk Van 
Ingen and Stephen N. Bayard, leading members of the church, 
appeared before the Consistory and called their attention to the 
necessity of calling a second minister and to the increasing of 
the religious services in the English language, " to the end that 
the church be not scattered." * 

* ten eynde de Gemeente niet verstroyt werde." 



126 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Dr. Romeyii read to theni tlie action of the Consistory and 
Great Consistory, of the 27th of August and 3d of September 
last, and the Consistory again resolved to use their best endeav- 
ors to increase the subscription for a second minister. 

To carry out the suggestion made by these gentlemen, one 
week later, to wit: on the IStli day of February, 1704, the Con- 
sistory resolved : 

1st, That for all coming time so long as there are twenty fam- 
ilies in the church, who attend Divine Service in the church of 
the village, who contribute from time to time with others their 
just ])roportion for the maintenance of Divine Service, and who 
declare that they can be better instructed in the Dutch than in 
any other tongue, so long, either the forenoon or afternoon ser- 
mon in the church of the village shall be delivered in the Dutch 
and the other in the English tongue. * 

2d, The Consistory say that when a second minister shall be 
called, thei-e shall be a Sunday evening service in Dutch, so long- 
as it shall be well attended, but if it be neglected they will make 
such other arrangements as shall be best for the prosperity of 
the church. 

3d, That the catechetical exercises shall be in a different lan- 
guage from the evening sermon. 

4th, That when the church shall have two ministei's, one shall 
preach once a fortnight in the Woestyne. t 

And the weekly evening lecture shall be in a different lan- 
guage from the Sunday evening sermon. % 

It is quite evident the above concession was anything but a 
peace offering and that it carried too much Englisli and too lit- 
tle Dutch, for on the 17th day of June, 1794 the Gi-eat Consis- 
tory were called together again to confer res])ecting English 

* I, Dat in all toekomende tydt zo lange 'ez twentig famelieii zyn in de Ge- 
meente die den Godsdienst bywonen in de kerk van het Dorp, Die haar ger- 
eghtigd deel van den order hand der Godsdienst van tydt tot tydt neffens an- 
dere toe brengen ; en die verklaren bieter gestight te kunnen werde in de 
Duytsche dan in eenige andere Taal, Dat zo lange 't zy de voor of naniidags 
Predikatie in de Kerk van het Dorp door een der Predikanten in het duytsh 
zal geddan werden, de andere zal in de Engelsche taal geschieden. 

tThe westerly part of the town (now county) was called the IVocstyne or 
Wilderness. 

X Consistory Minutes. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 127 

preaching ; and they advise in respect to Article 1, of the resohx- 
tions of the 13th of Februray, that it would be best to change 
it and that for the present a sermon be preached in the English 
tongue in the village every other Sunday, instead of every Sun- 
day, either in the forenoon or afternoon, and in regard to Arti- 
cle 2, that the Sunday evening sei'vice be in the English lan- 
guage. * 

By this change one sermon every two weeks was to be 
[)reached in English, and if a second minister were called the 
Sunday evening lecture was to be in the same language. 

On the 2d of October, 1795, Rev. Jacob Sickels was called as 
assistant minister to Dr. Romeyn, and remained two years. 

Nothing in the Consistory minutes would lead one to suppose 
that the matter of English preaching was seriously agitated 
again until the year 1798, soon after Do. Sickles left. 

On the 19th of March, 1798, the Consistory took into consid- 
eration the necessity of preaching in the English language 
more than has hitherto been done, that the rising generation 
may be preserved from connecting themselves to other denomi- 
nations, and came to the following resolution : 

* * * * That it be recommended to Dr. Romeyn to 
preach one sermon in English on every other Lord's day after- 
noon, until consistory shall find it necessary to increase the Eng- 
lish service. 

Resolved, Also that the clerk be directed to procure at his 
own cost, an English clerk to be approved of by the consistory 
to perform the duties when worship is carried on in English. 

And on the 21st of February, 1799, it was moved and second- 
ed that the board [consistory] procure English bibles for the use 
of the consistory, when it was 

Resolved, that eight English Bibles be purchased accordingly 
and that Mr. Yates purchase the same as soon as convenient. 

On the 13th of May, 1799 it was moved in consistory by Mr. 
John S. Glen and seconded by Mr. Henry Yates, that in future 

* De oudt Kerkenraadt adviseerde om trent Art. I, van den 13 Feb. dat 't 
best zoude zyn dit te Veranderen an te stellen dat voor het tegenwoordige om 
de andere zondag in plaats van elke zondag de voor of namiddag Predikatie 
in het Dorp in de Engelsche taal te zullen geschieden : en omtrent Art. 2, 
Dat de zondag Avondt dienst in het Engelsch Taal geeschieden. 

— Consistory Minutes. 



128 'HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

Divine Service in the Dutch Reformed Church be done one-half 
in the Dutch and the English language. * 

Again on the 2nd of July, 1799, the motion for preaching 
half the time in English was once more taken up, and after ma- 
ture consideration it was 

Resolved, unanimously. That in future one-half of the service 
on every Lord's day be done in the English language. 

22 November, 1799. Messrs. Abram Fonda, Zeger Van 
Santvoord, Jellis Fonda and Cornells Van Santvoord, requested 
that the consistorv would alter their order respecting English 
preaching — and the consistory took this request into consider- 
ation. 

30th November, 1799. The consistory finding from informa 
tion given that some uneasiness prevails amongst a few of the 
older class of their people, on account of the present order in 
respect to English preaching, and desirous at all times to pur- 
sue that which may work for peace and edification, 

Resolved, Therefore, that their resolution of the 2d of July 
last be altered to read thus, viz. : That it be recommended to 
the minister of our church to preach in English as frequent as 
the consistoiy shall from time to time direct. 

Thereupon, Resolved, That it is hereby recommended and 
directed that the Rev. D. Romeyn do in future preach one Sab- 
bath out of three entirely in Dutch, and the other two, one-half 
of the service to be in the English language and in the afternoon 
in each, and that until consistory shall direct otherwise, f 

This last compromise closed the long agitatio)i. The battle 
of the tongues here closed, and when Domine Romeyn's long 
and honored ministry terminated in 1804, stated Dutch preach- 
ing ended in the church of Schenectady. 

— * Consistory minutes. 
— t Consistory minutes. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 129 



CHAPTER X. 

1795-1869. REV. MESSRS. SICKLES, MEIER, BOGARDUS, VAN 
VECIITEN, TAYLOR, J. R. SEELYE, E. E. SEELYE AND WORTMAN. 

Rev. Jacob Sickels the Eighth Minister. 

Mr. Sickles was born at Tappan, in 1772, graduated at Co- 
lumbia College in 1792, studied theology under Doctors Froe- 
ligh and Livingston, and was licensed by the Classes of New 
York in 1794. 

He was called as assistant minister of this church on the 2d 
day of October, 1795, being then a divinity student. His salary 
was £200 ($500). 

At the end of two years he received a call to the church of 
Coxsackie and Coeymans, and announced to the Consistory Sep- 
tember 21, 1797 that he had concluded to accept the call. 

He remained pastor of these churches until 1801, when he ac- 
ce})ted a call from the church of Kinderhook, where he contin- 
ued until his death in 1845. 

" His field at Kinderhook was very extensive, embracing the 
present area of several churches. His labors were greatly bles- 
sed, the numbers professing their faith under his ministry avei-a- 
ging twenty a year for thirty years. As a pastor he had many 
excellencies. He was noted for uniform and sincere affection 
and his proverbial prudence. * 

His first wife was Catharine, daughter of Hon. Henry Glen, 
of Schenectady, whom he married August 1, 1797. She died 
within a year after marriage. 

Rev. John Hardenberg Meier, the Ninth Minister, 1803-1806. 

The Rev. Mr. Meier, son of Rev. Harmanus Meier, of Pomp- 
ton Plains, N. J., was born on the 19th day of October 1774. 
He graduated at Columbia College in 1795, studied theology 
under Doctor Livingston, and was licensed by the Classis of New 
York in 1798. 

* Corwin's Manual. 

17 



130 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

His first pastoral charge was the Church of New Paltz and 
New Hurley, where he was installed minister in 1799. In Oc- 
tober, 1802, he received and accepted a call from this church as 
assistant minister to Do. Romeyn, whose physical disabilities 
demanded some relief. His salary was $602.50, with house and 
lot of ground 140 ft. by 100 ft., Amsterdam measure, the rent 
of which w^as estimated at the low rent of $87.50, which being 
added to his salary made his compensation $750 or £300 New 
York currency. 

The following is the call of Mr. Meier : 

To the Rev John H. Myer, minister of the gospel at New Paltz, 

[l. s.] &c., in the County of Ulster, and State of New York. 

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and Jesus 

Christ our Lord. 

Whereas the Church of Jesus Christ, in the City of Schenec- 
tady, and in the County of Albany, from its extensiveness and 
numbers, together with the increase of years upon our jjresent 
Pastor, the Reverend Dirck Romeyn. and the incidents peculiar 
to an advanced state of life, stands in great need of increasing 
the stated pi-eaching of the word and regular administration of 
the ordinances ; and being desirous to enlarge the means of 
Grace, which God has appointed for the salvation of sinners 
through Jesus Christ his son, by the calling of a second minister 
to and with our present minister the Rev. Dirk Romeyn afore- 
said : — 

And, Whereas the said Church are from information well 
satisfied of the Piety, Gifts and Ministerial Qualifications of you, 
John H. Myer, and hath good hope that your labors in the Gos- 
pel will be attended with a blessing. Therefore we, the Minis- 
ter, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch 
Church, in the City of Schenectady aforesaid, with the advice 
and 'approbation of a respectable number of the members and 
people of this Church have Resolved to call, and we do hereby 
solemnly and m the name of the Lord call you the said John H. 
Meyer, to be our pastor and teacher, to preach the word in truth- 
fulness, to administer the Holy Sacrament agreeable to the In- 
stitution of Christ, to maintain Christian Discipline, to edify the 
Congregation, and especially the youth by Catechetical Instruc- 
tion, and as a faithful seiwant of Jesus Christ to fulfil the wliole 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 131 

work of the Gospel ministry agreeable to the word of God, the 
excellent nxles and constitution of the Reformed Dutch Church, 
established in the last National Synod held at Dordreght, and 
ratified and explained by the judicature under which we stand 
and to which you upon accei^ting this Call must with us remain 
subordinate. 

In fulfilling the ordinary duties of your ministry it is expressly 
stipulated that beside preaching from such texts of scrip- 
ture as you may judge proper to select for our instruction, 
you also explain a portion of the Heidelbergh Catechism on the 
Lord's days, or Lord's days evenings, either in the Dutch, or 
English language, as you and the consistory may judge most 
beneficial for the Congregation, agreeable to the established 
order of the Reformed Dutch Church, and that you further con- 
form in rendering all that public service which is usual and has 
been in constant practice in our congregation. The particular 
ser\ace which will be required of you is that you shall be held to 
preach twice on every Lord's day in the Dutch and English 
languages as aforesaid, that is after our present minister shall 
have preached one sermon in the Dutch language at least, if he 
is able, and that in our said Church in this city. You shall also 
with Dr. Romeyn, our present minister, or if need be without 
him, dispense the Lord's Supper four times the year at our said 
Church in this City, each of which occasions shall be preceded 
by a preparatory discourse suited to the occasion, done in either 
of the above languages as the consistory with you shall deter- 
mine. 

As also, you shall once in every year visit the families belong- 
ing to our Congregation, at least if. judged practicable, or other- 
wise as frequent, and such parts of the Congregation as the Con- 
sistory shall from time to time deem necessary ; and to observe 
the weekly Catechises of the children and adult pei'sons as fre- 
quent as the interest of Religion shall appear to require. 

And finally do and perform, as God shall enable you, every 
duty, matter and thing which you and our Consistory shall from 
time to time judge necessary for the advancement of the pros 
perity of our said Congregation and the promotion of saving 
knowledge and holiness of life among the members thereof. 

To encourage you in the discharge of the duties of your impor- 
tant oflice. We promise you in the name of this Church all prop- 



132 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

er attention, love and obedience in the Lord. And to free you 
from discouraging worldly cares and avocations, while you are 
dispensing the gospel and ordinances to us, We the Minister, 
Elders, and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church 
of the city of Schenectady, do promise and oblige ourselves to 
pay to you the sum of six hundred and sixty-two dollars and fif- 
ty cents, together with a house, and lot of one hundred and forty 
feet in depth and one hundred feet in width all Amsterdam wood 
measure, the rent of which is estimated at the low rate of eighty- 
seven dollars and fifty cents per annum, which being added to 
the foregoing makes the whole to amount to the annual sum of 
seven hundred and fifty dollars, or three hundred pounds New 
York money — the six hundred and sixty-two dollars and fifty 
cents to be paid yearly, and every year in four equal and quar- 
terly payments as long as you continue to be the minister of 
this church ; the first payment to be made three months after 
the first sermon which you shall deliver in our said Church in 
virtue of this call ; and the consistory will also bear the expense 
of your removal to this city, and on your arrival will provide 
you with a good dwelling house until we can deliver you the 
house above referred to, which will be within a year from this 
date. 

For the performance of all which we do hereby bind ourselves 
and our successors firmly by these presents. 
Done in Consistory; sealed with our corporate seal and signed 

by us respectively, this day of October, in the year 

1802. 



Done and executed under the Presi- ^ 
dency and wdth the approbation 
of D. Romeyn, V. D. M., and res- ' 
ident minister of the Gospel at 
Schenectady. 



Nicholas Vedder, 
Jesse D. DeGraflf, 
Abr'm Oothout, 
Nicholas S. Vedder, 
Jacob Swits, 
Jelles A. Fonda, 
John N. Marselus, 
Jacob Schermerhorn. 



The above call having been laid before the Classis for approba- 
tion, the same was approved of as in order. 

J. BASSET, Pres't. 
JOHN DEMAREST, Sect'y. 
Done in Classis of Albany, Dec. 17th, 1802. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 133 

In the following May (1803) he was installed by the Rev, 
John Basset, of Albany, and Rev. Jacobus V. C. Romeyn, of 
Hackensack, N. J. The latter preached the sermon. 

Less than a year from this event his venerable colleague was 
removed by death and he became sole pastor of the church, an 
office which was again vacated two years after by a like sad 
event. He died of consumption on the eleventh day of Sep- 
tember, 1806, in the 32d year of his age and in the eighth year 
of his ministry. The funeral services were held at Schenectady,* 
but he was buried in the Dutch Church burying ground at 
Albany, f 

Mr. Meier was of medium height, agreeable manners and 
deservedly popular with his congregation and the people gen- 
erally. During the period of his pastorate subsequent to Dr. 
Romeyn's death, he married 118 couples, baptised 283 children 
and received 10 members to the church. 

" As a man Mr. Meier was amiable, possessing a peaceable 
disposition, fond of social intercourse and desirous of the happi- 
ness of others. As a minister of the Gospel he was greatly 
esteemed by all who knew him, being blessed with a sound 
judgement and devoted to the services of the sanctuary. 

* James Lighthall, sexton of the church, was paid on this occasion two 
dollars for " wringing " the bell, and two dollars for notifying the Great Con- 
sistory ; also two dollars for the sextons of the other churches. [Episcopal 
ana Presbyterian], 

— Consistory minutes. 

t The following is the inscription upon his grave stone : 

"Under this stone are interred the mortal remains of 
John Hardenberg Meier, 
late minister of the Reformed Dutch Church in the city of Schenectady. He 
adorned the Doctrines of God bis Saviour, displaying uniformly his attach- 
ment to them and their influence over him. 

As a minister of the Gospel he was greatly esteemed by all who knew him, 
being blessed with a sound judgement, devoted to the service of the sanctu- 
ary from principle, loving the Glorious Redeemer, desirous of winning souls 
to his dominion. 

In the midst of his days he was called hence and left this world with faith 
and patience for the blessed appearance of the Great God and our Saviour 
Jesus Christ. 

He was born Oct. 19th, 1774, and died Sept. nth, 1806, aged 31 years, 10 
months and 23 days, having been engaged in the service of Jehovah Jesus 
almost eight years, of which he spent better that three in Schenectady. " 

—Annals of Alb., VI, 166. 



134 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

'• His talents and acquirements were of the useful kind and 
very respectable. Being cautious in his disposition and reserved 
in his manners he displayed fewer mental resources in his inter- 
course with men than he really possessed. The native benevo- 
lence of his heart always rendered him a welcome and acceptable 
companion to his acquaintances. He was esteemed as a preacher 
but more especially as a member of the several church judica- 
tures with which he was connected. He was rising in reputa- 
tion and his sphere of usefulness was enlarging when it pleased 
a holy God to take him to himself. 

" His education having been strictly religious, he had from 
his earliest years a deep reverence for divine things. His live- 
liest impressions of religion were when he was at the Academy 
at Flatbush about the year 1793. 

" Before he finally left his home, which was in the beginning 
of August, he did not calculate on a recovery. He had accoi'd- 
ingly arranged his temporal concerns. He spoke of his death 
and gave directions about his funeral with the utmost comj^os- 
ure. His covenant Father gave him desirable support and com- 
fort. He died without a struggle or a groan." * 

1808-12. Rev. Cornelius Bogarchis tht Tenth Minister. 

For two years after the death of Do. Meier the pulpit was 
supplied temporarily by ministers from the neighboring 
churches. 

From the many candidates recommended as his successor the 
choice fell upon Rev. John Brodhead Romeyn, son of the their 
late pastor. His call was dated July 8th, 1807. The salary 
named was $1,000, with house and firewood, and he was re- 
quired to preach twice each Sabbath, in Dutch and English, as 
he and the consistory might think proper. For some reason 
this call was not accepted, and after further deliberation for a 
year Mr. Cornelius Bogardus became the successful candidate. 

He was born Sept. 26th, 1780, studied theology, imder Living- 
ston, was licensed by the Classis of New York in 1808, and was 
ordained and installed pastor of this church on the 27th Novem- 
ber, 1808, being then in his 29th year. The sermon on this 
occasion was preached by Rev. John Basset, of Albany. 

* Albany Gazette, 15th Sept. 1806. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 135 

During his short pastorate of four years tlie church was 
greatly increased in numbers — 157 members having been admit- 
ted in that time. He married 117 couples and baptised 444 
children. He died of consumption on the 15th of December, 
1812, aged 32 years. 

Mr. Bogardus was in stature above the medium height and of 
commanding presence. As a preacher he had more than ordi- 
nary power and was considered arising man, bidding fair to take 
a prominent position in his profession. * ♦ 

1815-1849. Rev. Jacob Van Vechten, D. D., the Eleventh Min- 
ister. 

The longest pastorate of this church was that of the Rev. 
Jacob Van Vechten, its eleventh minister. He was born at 
Catskil and baptised September 7th, 1788, the fourth of nine 
sons, childi-en of Samuel Van Vechten and Sara Van Orden. 

The first settler of the name — Tennis Dirkse Van Vechten, 
alias Poentie, came over to New Netherlands in 1638, in the 
Arms of Norway, with his wife, child and two servants, and in 
1648 occupied a farm in Greenbush. He is referred to in 1663 
as an old inhabitant here. In 1700 he had at least three sons 
living — Dirk, the eldest, Cornelius and Gerrit, besides a daughter, 
Pietertje, wife of Myndert Frederickse, of Albany. 

Dirk Teunis Van Vechten, son of Teunis Dirkse, settled in 
and bought land at Catskil, made his will April 4th, 1687, 
proved March 30th, 1703, and died November 25th, 1702. He 
married Jannetje Michielse, [Caljer?] and mentioned the follow- 
ing children in his will : Jannetie, born 1660; Wyntje, born 
1662 ; Michiel, born 1664 ; Neeltja, 1665 ; Johannes, born 1667 ; 
Teunis, born 1669; Annatie, born 1671; Fytje, born 1672; 
Samuel, born 1673 ; Sara, born 1675, and Abraham, born 1679. 

Johannes Dirkse Van Vechten, of Catskil, married Elizabeth 
, and had at least two sons, Temiis and Dirk, and per- 
haps others. 

* The first application made for the use of the church for a 4th of July cele- 
bration was made June 24th, 181 1, when the consistory granted the request, 
" provided no instrumental music shall be used and nothing be said in the 
oration to wound the feelings of any political party." 

— Consistory Minutes. 



136 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

Teunis Van Vechten, of Catskil, married JudikjeTen Broeek. 

Among others he had a son, Samuel, who was baptised in 
Catskil, October, 1742, and became the father of the Rev. 
Jacob Van Vechten, as before stated. 

Doctor Van Vechten's eai'ly education was pursued first at 
Catskil and afterwards at the Kingston Academy. The teacher 
who fitted him for College was the Rev. Alexander Miller, who 
had been pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Schenectady 
prior to 1790. He entered the P^reshman Class of Union College 
in 1805, with his class and room-mate, Gideon Hawley, of Al- 
bany, and graduated A. B. in 1809. Soon after leaving College 
he entered the law office of his uncle, Abraham Van Vechten, of 
Albany, as a law student, with the intention of making the law 
his profession. 

"In October, 1809, he united with the Reformed Protestant 
Dutch Church in Catskil, and abandoning his first choice of a 
profession turned his attention to the Gospel ministry, for which 
he prepared himself by a course of study in the Theological 
Seminary of the Scotch Church, under the care of the Rev. 
Doctor John M. Mason," of New York, in 1813, and in the 
New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 1814, when he w^as 
licensed to preach by the Classis of New Brunswick. As early 
as August 1st, 1814, the consistory of this church resolved to 
call Mr. Van Vechten as their minister, but it was not until 
June 8th, 1815, that he was ordained and installed pastor. On 
this occasion the Dr. John M. Bradford, of Albany, preached 
the sermon. 

The year following he married Catharine, daughter of his 
venerated preceptor. Dr. Mason ; she died in 1820, and two years 
later he married Maria, daughter of Abraham Van Dyck, of 
Coxsackie. " Of nine children from these two marriages he lost 
six in their youth or prime." 

" His health was delicate in early manhood from pulmonary 
tendencies and rheumatic affection for which he went to Europe 
in 1 823. He retui-ned after a year's absence improved in health, 
but made permanently lame at I'aris from a surgical accident in 
operating upon his rheumatic knee." He received the degree of 

Doctor of Divinity from Williams College in . At the time 

of his death he was Senior Trustee of Union College, to which 
office he was elected in 1837. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. • 137 

He resigned and was dismissed from the pastorate of this 
church on the 6th of March, 1 849, after a service of more than 
34 years, during which time 910 members were received into 
the Church. 

" On retiring from his charge he did not seek another but 
preached as opportunity offered ; and employed his leisure in 
literary labors, among which was a Biography of his late father- 
in-law, Dr. John M. Mason. 

In 1851 he removed to Albany, and from thence, in 1868, to 
Auburn, where he resided in the family of his son-in-law. Pro- 
fessor Huntington, until liis death, Avhich occurred on the 15th 
of September, 1871. 

The following letter Avas received from Doctor Van Vechten 
in answer to a request for some facts in the history of the church 
during his pastorate. 

Auburn, Oct. 21st, 1869. 
Dear Friend : — 

Your project of kistorising (a new word) 
the good old Dutch town of Schenectady with its institutions 
* * I hope will not be relinquished. 

Dr. Romeyn was the last pastor of the Dutch Church who 
preached statedly in our native language. I never saw him. 
Meier was minister when I entered College [1805] ; often heard 
him preach in English, ver^/ seldom, if at all, in Dutch. 

Mr. Bogardus, my predecessoi-, was a worthy man — gave 
us good plain sermons, altogether in English — gathered in a 
large number of communicants ; aimed, though rather feebly, to 
raise the standard of spiritual as opposed to formal religion. In 
less than four years his health gave away and shortly afterwards 
he died. 

An interregnum of about two years intervened before my 
settlement. The history of my labors can not easily be given 
by me. From the very beginning I encountered great diffi- 
culties from the innovations, or as I prefer to call them, refor 
mations, wdiich I endeavored to introduce. The people had been 
accustomed to the baptism of all children who might be pre- 
sented. I thought the Bible limited it to Christian children. 
Members had been received at a certain age, or at least on recit- 
ing the catechism. I thought more experimental qualifications 
necessary. An honest account of such matters would still be 
attended with delicacy and perhaps bad feeling. 

18 



138 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

I can inform you further in this direction when we meet ; till 
then I will leave your request. At present I have no leisure to 
proceed further. 

I have reminiscences which are interesting to myself, but can- 
not say that they would be so to others. 
With high respect and esteem, 

Your sincere friend, 

Jacob Van Vechten. 

1849-1852. Rev. William J. R. Taylor, D. D, the Twelfth 
Minister. 

He is the son of Rev. Benjamin C. Taylor, D. D., of Bergen, 
N. J., and Anna Romeyn his wife, and was born in Schodac, 
Rensselaer co., N. Y., July 31st, 1823. 

He graduated at Rutger's College in July, 1841, and the 
Theological Seminary of the Reformed (Dutch) church at New 
Brunswick, N, J., July, 1844, and was ordained to the gospel 
ministry at Hackensack, N. J., in August, 1844. The following 
have been his pastoral charges — all in the Reformed (Dutch) 
Church : — 

New Durham, Hudson CO., N. J., - - - . 1844-1846. 
Van Vorst. (Jersey City), N. J., - - - 1846-1849. 
Schenectady, N. Y., - - - - - - 1849-1852. 

Jersey City, (3d) ------ 1852-1854. 

Philadelphia, (3d) ------ 1854-1862. 

Corresponding Secretary of the American Bible 

Society at New York city, - - - - 1862-1869. 

Newark, N. J., ------- 1869 

Dr. Taylor was installed pastor of this Church Nov. 18th, 
1849. During the winter and spring of 1852 the church " en- 
joyed a gracious revival of religion." 

Through over exertion at this time, a long and dangerous 
illness was brought upon him, from which he barely recovered 
with his life. It was during his ministry and chiefly through 
his exertions that the Second Reformed Church of Schenectady 
was formed. 

Doctor Taylor has published several Thanksgiving Sermons, 
public addresses, etc., besides discourses in memory of Rev. 
Henry G. Livingston, pastor of the Third Reformed Church of 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 139 

Philaclelijhia, Rev. Dr. John Ludlow, Provost of the University 
of Pennsylvania and Professor of the Theological Seminary at 
New Brunswick, N. J., Rev. George W. Bethune, D.D., Rev. 
Samuel A. Van Vranken, D.D., Professor of Didactic Theology 
in the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, N. J., and the 
Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen, * &c., &c. 

1853-1858, Eev. Julius H. Seelye D. D., the Thirteenth Min- 
ister. 

He was born in Bethel, Conn., September 14th, 1824. Atthe age 
of 15 years he entered his father's store, remaining there until 
he was twenty-one. He entered the Freshman Class of Amherst 
College at the beginning of the second term, January, 1846, and 
graduated in 1849. 

The same year he entered the Theological Seminary at 
Auburn, N. Y., and at the end of his three years course, in 1852, 
visited Europe remaining nearly a year, the greater portion of 
which was spent at Halle. 

On his return, in 1853, his first sermon was preached at Sche- 
nectady, May 22nd ; on May 31st, he received a unanimous call 
as pastor of this church ; June 14th, accepted the call, and 
August 10th, was ordained and installed by the Classis of Sche- 
nectady ; Dr. Hick ok, Vice-President of Union College, preach- 
ing the sermon on this occasion. On the 23rd of October, 1858, 
he married Elizabeth James, daughter of Rev. William James, 
D.D., of Albany. 

Having resigned the pastorate of this Church to accept the 
pi-ofessorship of Mental and Moral Philosophy in Amherst Col- 
lege, he was dismissed by the Classis August 30th, to take effect 
September 14th, 1858, his 34th birth day, and the completion of 
five and a quarter years of his ministry. 

During his pastorate he attended 136 funerals, solemnized 80 
marriages, baptised 30 infants and 11 adults, and received as 
members of the church on profession of their faith 110 and by 
letter 31. No communion service passed during his ministry 

* For a complete list of the writings of Dr. Taylor and additional facts con- 
cerning the living and deceased ministers of the Reformed Church, see Dr. 
E. T. Corwin's Manual of the Reformed Church in America, 3rd edition. 
[W. E. G.] 



140 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

without the reception of some members to the church on a pro- 
fession of faith. 

The contributions of the church for benevoleut purposes were 
as follows : 

1854, $415. 

1855, 453. 

1856, 545. 

1857, 808. 

. 1858, 939.54. 

Professor Seelye's mercantile experience was a good prepara- 
tory discipline and the business habits thus acquired were of 
great benefit in his subsequent career. Having decided to ac- 
quire a liberal education late, his preparatory course for College 
was short ; nevertheless during the latter part of his College 
course he stood among the best of his class in scholarship. His 
Theological course was distinguished for depth, soundness, 
thoroughness of investigation and controlling influence among 
the students and in the surrounding religious community. 

While abroad, he profitted largely in acquaintance with lead- 
ing men, and attendance upon University lectures, and added 
greatly to his philosophical and theological knowledge. His 
pastorate with this church, though liis first, was eminently suc- 
cessful, not only in gaining for him the hearts of his people by 
his kind and genial manners, but also in commanding the respect 
of the best minds of the community by his sound and edifying 
discourses. 

In 1875-6 Prof. Seelye represented his district in Congress, 
and in 1877 was elected President of Amherst College. 

1858-1864. Rev. Edward E. Seelye, D.D., the Fourteenth Min 
ister. 

The Rev. Edward E. Seelye, the fourteenth minister of the 
Church was born in Lansingburgh, Sei)tember 24th, 1819. He 
entered the Sophomore Class of Union College September 9th, 
1836, and graduated A. B. in July, 1839. 

During his connection wnth the College he became a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, and in 1840 entered Princeton 
Seminary, from whence he graduated in 1843. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 141 



" At the completion of his course of study he became pastor 
of the Presbyterian Churcli at Stillwater, where he labored with 
fidelity and success for seven years, until 1850. He was then 
called to the Presbyterian Church at Sandy Hill. During the 
later years of Dr. Seelye's ministry at Sandy Hill he preached 
statedly at Fort Edward, and there founded a Presbyterian 
Church, which has grown into a large and prosperous congrega- 



tion 



nee 



Dr Seelye was twice called by the Reformed Church of Sche- 
..ctady— once previously to the settlement of Professor Julius 
H. Seelye and again after he left. The first call was declined 
under the advice of the Presbytery in view of the wants of the 
Church he was then serving. But when a second time this 
Church pressed him to become their pastor, he accepted then- 
invitation. 

In 1858 he removed to Schenectady, and on November 1st 
was installed pastor. In this, his last charge, he was called to 
meet some peculiar difticuties. In 1861 the church edifice was 
destroyed by fire, and for the two years following that event the 
Church had no more convenient place of worship than the lec- 
ture room of the Presbyterian Church, kindly furnished for that 
purpose, the edifice of the second church not being then m 
possession of that people. In addition to the disadvantages of 
such contracted accommodations, all the labor and anxiety of 
adopting plans and carrying forward the great enterprise of 
erecting a new, large and costly church building, involving m 
its procrress the obliteration of private claims on pews, and more 
important still, the absorption of a valuable church property, 
was thrown upon the Consistory and necessarily to some extent 
upon the pastor. Yet Dr. Seelye lived to see that two years 
work, so delicate and momentous in character, fully and peace- 
fully accomplished, and had the satisfaction and honor, on the 
6th of August. 1863, of preaching the dedication sermon _ 

" Physically, he was robust, a little above the medmm height, 
with a compact, well-knit frame." His last was the only sick- 
ness of his life. . 

In August, 1864, he left home " for his annual vacation tor a 
few weeks in the fresh air and the free woods which he loved so 
well," and was suddenly taken ill at Sandy Hill, the place of his 
former charge, where he died August 10th, 1864. 



142 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

[Tlie facts for the following sketches of the lives of the three 
pastors of the church who succeeded the Rev. E. E. Seelye, are 
taken mainly from Dr. E. T. Corwin's "Manual of the Reformed 
Church in America," a book which is invaluable for officers and 
members of the Reformed Church. 

The Rev. Dennis Wortman, D.D., was graduated from Am- 
herst College in 1857, and from the New Brunswick Theological 
Seminary in 1860, and was settled over the church at South 
Bushwick, L. I., for three years. Accepting a call from the 
Third Reformed Church in Philadelphia, he succeeded Dr. 
"VV. J. R. Taylor, and labored two years, when he was called to 
Schenectady. Here, in the midst of his duties most faithfully 
jjerformed, his health failed ; nor did a trip to Europe (during 
which he attended the sessions of the Evangelical Alliance at 
Amsterdam, Holland,) restore him fully to health, as he had 
hoped. He resigned his charge in 1870, greatly to the regret 
of the people, by whom he was greatly loved. Since 1 870, he 
supplied vacant churches; but in 1880, feeling his health suffi- 
ciently established, he accepted a call to the Reformed Church 
at Fort Plain, N. Y. Of Dr. Wortman's labors in Schenectady, 
and of church life during this period, one may form an impres- 
sion by his own modest words of reiuiniscence in his address on 
Monday evening, June 21st, 1880. 

" With grateful hearts, dear friends, we scan the six years Ave 
spent together here. Much there was in it very delightful — 
while there was that of sorrow in it to give a proper chastening 
to our souls. Truly I was with you in weakness and in pain and 
in much trouble, and my speech and my preaching was not wdth 
enticing words of man's wisdom, but it was in demonstration of 
the Spirit and of power. And to-night I testify alike to your 
helpful affection, and to the strengthening grace of God. Yes, 
we did have some good times together here, in that consistory 
room, helping one another in our prayers to God, in this sanctu- 
ary studying the word of God, and welcoming from the world 
the new found friends of Christ. One especially precious 
season we enjoyed when 27 united at the same time in their 
avowal of the love of Christ. Immediately after my leaving 
you, also, and before a successor had been called, there was a 
])Owerful, though very quiet work of grace, and a larger number 
even than tliat Mas gathered in, of whom I affectionately think 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 143 

as somehow — if God so will — my own children in the Lord. In- 
deed there was during the whole period of our union not so much 
a revival, but a constant living interest in spiritual things. Yet 
while it is given us to praise God for his mercy in accepting and 
blessing our poor labors, we must be very careful to attribute 
to him not part but all, all, the praise and all, all, the 
love ! Very pleasant times we had together. You began right — 
paying off in close cormection with your call to me a debt of 
$11,000. * Then let me see, the time is short, I can but hasten 
on the memorandum of those years. The great civil war well 
nigh at its ending. Before my installation in May, Lee had sur- 
rendered, and the fanaticism of Booth had illustrated the mad- 
ness of the enemies of freedom, and immortalized Abraham 
Lincoln as the martyr President. It was for us then to gather 
up the lessons of the fearful strife, to calm the turbulence of 
passions, to reconstruct a christian loyalty, to guard against the 
terrible reaction after the war, to welcome back to peaceful in- 
dustries our gallant soldier host — and turn the thoughts of men 
again to the labors of peace, and the virtues of love. I must 
not forget to thank you that in a season of weakness you per- 
mitted me, without expense, to make that long tour in Europe ; 
during which, besides seeing so much of the old world, I had so 
glorious a foot tour through the Eastern Alps with Dr. Hurst, 
one of the new and most honored bishops of the M. E. Church, 
and to attend and participate in the meetings of the first Evan- 
gelical Alliance in Holland, in 1867. During that absence you 
provided yourself with the spiritual and poetic strong preaching 
of one who since then as the author of "All About Jesus," 
has gained an American and an English reputation. "f 
During that absence of your pastor, also, you signalized your in- 
terest in the church and your desire to fence off offending in- 
truders on sacred ground by putting around this fine lawn of 
yours the beautiful iron fence, which well befits the beauty of this 
noble structure. I call up the natnes of men and women with 
us then who have since entered to their rest. I cannot name all, 
only a few. Elder Nicholas Van Vranken, for 30 years the 
honored treasurer of this church, has gone to his rest. There 

"Subscribed, but paid only to the extent of $8,500. [W. E. G.] 
t Rev. Alexander Dixon. 



144 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

was Groot, there was Clute, there was Angle, there was Dr. 
Fonda, there were the Veeder's and Swits's, and Yates's and 
others, there was one dear brother Cain, (to whom, primarily, 
with the warm co-operation of the brethren in this and 
Other churches, weowethe Y.M. C. A. Hall), McNee, the always 
faithful. Judge Mitchell, tliere was the beloved physician, whom 
the whole city honored, Dr. A. M. Vedder. There were honor- 
able women, not a few who have entered their rest, well repre- 
sented and led by Mrs. Dr. Vedder, Mrs. Myers, Miss Fuller, 
who with others were indeed faithful ministers to your pastors. 
Then the massive head, with the long grey locks hanging ven- 
erably down, sitting yonder near the Banker Screen, deafening 
gradually to the voice of the human preacher, all the more intent 
on listening to Him that speaketh from above ; the gentle and 
strong, the humble, the scholarly and wise teacher, writer, lover 
of Christ. There should be somewhere in this building a me- 
morial of some kind erected by us who loved him so, to the 
memory of Tayler Lewis ! Will not some one see that they 
who would so love to do, may be led into the privilege ?" 

The Reverend Ashbel G. Vermilye, the sixteenth pastor of 
the church, is the son of the Rev. T. E. Vermilye, the senior of 
the College of Pastors of the collegiate church in New York 
city. He was born at Princeton, N. J., in 1822, and was gradu- 
ated from the New York University in 1840. His pastoral 
charges from 1845 to 1871 were at Little Falls, N. Y., Newbury- 
port, Mass., and Utica, N. Y. He preached his first sermon in 
the church August 6th, 1871, the anniversary of the burning of 
the old and the dedication of the new (fifth) edifice. Dr. Ver- 
milye contributed a masterly sermon on " The Hugenot Element 
Among the Dutch," for the Volume of Centennial Discourses 
published in 1876 ; a work which well illustrates the genius and 
characteristics of the Reformed Church in America. He was 
also one of the three editors of the " Hymns of the Church." Dr. 
Vermilye's labors ceased by resignation in December, 1876. He 
accepted the charge of the Marine Chapel for one year at Ant- 
werp, Belgium, in 1878, and after doing a good work there 
among the American sailors and residents, began the execution 
of a long cherished plan to travel iu Europe and the East. See 
his letter on i)age 24. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. . 145 

The present pastor was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on the 17th 
day of September, 1843, and entered Rutgers College in 1865. 
After graduation, in 1869, he traveled in Europe for a few 
months, entered the New Brunswick Theological Seminary for 
a year, and in December, 1870, went to Japan to engage in the 
Government Educational service. After spending one year in 
Fukui, province of Echizen, he was called to the capital, Tokio, 
where, as Professor in the Imperial University, he remained un- 
til July, 1874. He studied two years in the Union Theological 
Seminary of New York — 1875-1877. While in the Senior Class 
he was invited to preach in the church at Schenectady, on Sab- 
bath, April 22nd, 1877. He received a unanimous call to be 
pastor May 1st, 1877. He accepted and was ordained and in- 
stalled May 31st. A large number of ministers assisted in the 
ordination, among them the venerable Abram J. Swits. 

The chief events in the church during the last three years 
have been the increase and improvement of the Sunday School 
Library ; the publication of a Manual and Directory of the 
Church : considerable reform in the matter of Sunday funerals ; 
payment of a large portion of the debt which has existed since 
the erection of the present edifice ; the completion of the work 
of removing the remain's from the old neglected burial ground 
on Green street, which had been partially carried on for over 
twelve years, to Vale Cemetery ; putting in complete repair, 
both outside and inside, the church edifice at a cost of $700 ; 
the addition of several decorative and memorial features of per- 
manent interest, such as inscriptions and tablets ; laying the cor- 
ner-stone of Prospect Hill Mission School building; the cele- 
bration, in befittingstyle,of the bi-centennial anniversary,and the 
|)ublication of the History of the Church.] 

The editor may be permitted to add that other enterprises 
which await the future for their execution are the erection of a 
Sabbath School room, either in a separate building, or better, 
attached to the church edifice ; the erection of a baptismal font ; 
a new carpet and improved ventilation ; the chanticleer of Saint 
Nicholas on the spire, as the weather-vane ; a large fire-proof 
safe or vault for the safe-keeping of the archives ; a building 
for the Water street Mission School ; and, when the next pastor 
conies, a parsonage, according to the old custom of the church. 

19 



146 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

All these, or the best of them, under God's providence, the 
peoj^le willing, will doubtless come in due time. 

It behooves the citizens of Schenectady, without distinction of 
creed or descent, to erect at the end of Church street, on State — 
the old " Street of the Martyrs " — a monument in honor of Van 
Curler and the founders of the city ; in memory of the first two 
generations of the first settlers, including the victims of the 
massacre in 1690; and in witness to the site of the first two 
church edifices of the oldest institution still in existence in Sche- 
nectadv. Shall this monument be erected ? 



CHAPTER XL 

THE CHURCH OF 1814 GROAN AND CHANDELIER. 

As early as the year 1805 the congregation began to agitate 
the question of repairing the old church, and on the 23d of 
March, 1810, the consistory appointed a committee to draw a 
plan and report upon the feasibility of building a new one. On 
the 11th of June, finding this project impracticable, another 
committee was a])pointed to estimate the expense of repairing 
the old house. This effort also failed, and an attempt was again 
made on the 10th of August to build a new church by authoriz- 
ing the circulation of subscription papers. In this manner the 
consistory hesitated for more than two years, sometimes inclining 
to one scheme, then to the other. Finally on the 4th of April, 
1812, the Great Consistory being called together, decided that 
" if good subscriptions to the amount of $4,000 shall be obtained 
within 6 weeks a new church should be built, otherwise to repair 
the old one." The result of this advice was a subscription of 
$3,379.50 in money and 243 days Avork. 

To provide further means for the building, the consistory 
resolved, on the 30th of October, 1812, to sell to the city their two 
church sites (the one at the junction of Church and State streets, 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 147 

the other at the junction of Church and Union streets,) for 200 
acres of land worth at least ten dollars an acre, provided these 
two lots shall never be used for private purposes, but be left 
open in the streets for public convenience. 

On the 3rd day of December, 1812, contracts were signed for 
the construction of the new house — for mason work and materials 
with David Hearsey and Thomas McCully, to be commenced as 
early as May 1st, 1813, and finished by September 1st, but by 
consent svibsequently extended to December 1st — and for car- 
penter's work, painting, glazing and materials with Gerrit Ben- 
sen and Joseph Horsfall, to be completed on or before October 
15th, 1814, and extended afterwards to April 15th, 1815. 

The masons received $4,570 and the carpenters $5,800 for 
their respective contracts. 

The dimensions of this building were 57 feet by 96 feet, ex- 
clusive of the tower projections, with walls of brick 28 feet high 
above the foundations. * 

It was situated on the church site on the East corner of Union 
and Church streets, which up to this time had been used for the 
parsonage. It was a neat, plain, well-proportioned building with 
a tower and cupola on the South front. The bell of the old 
church was hung in the belfry. Besides the middle entrance 
through the tower there were two side doors, all in front, and 
corresponding to the three aisles. 

In the arrangement of seats the separation of the sexes was no 
longer kept up, but the English plan was adopted of sittings in 
families. The pulpit was built against the North wall opposite 
the main entrance. There were 24 family pews along the walls 
and 72 slips or benches on both sides of the middle aisle, t 
The side galleries were reserved for the miscellaneous audience; 
the front gallery for the choir, organ and colored people. About 
800 persons could be comfortably seated in this house. 

In the autumn of 1814 the new house was so near completion 
that it could be used for worship, and on the 20th of November 

* 17th April, 1813 : " To paid the masons for laying the last stone," [for 
grog,] 37t cents. 

— Treasurer's book, 
t See Appendix C. 



148 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

the last services were held in the old building ; * on which occa- 
sion Dr. Andrew Yates preached in the morning and afternoon 
from the 132nd Psalm, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th verses.t On the 
following Sabbath, November 27th, the now house was dedi- 
cated, and Dr. Eliphalet Nott preached twice from the 4th verse 
of the 27th Psalm. It was used as a house of worship 47 years, 
until the 6th of August, 1861, when it was destroyed by fire. 

The increase of this congregation has doubtless been much 
retarded by the want of seat room. This was felt many years 
before the church of 1734 was removed. In view of this fact 
it is singular that the church of 1814 should not have been built 
larger. It could accommodate but a few more persons than its 
predecessor, t Indeed it may be said that from 1734 to 1862, a 
period of ] 28 years, the church accommodations of this congre- 
gation remained substantially the same. In the meantime the 
little hamlet grew into a village and the village into a city of 
respectable dimensions. It had but few competitors in the field, 
and though it became the mother church of this region, with 
one exception all her colonies were sent out some years subse- 
quent to 1814. 

Before closing this short account of this house it may be 
proper to mention the honored names of Nicholas Vander Vol- 
gen and his wife, who were considerable benefactors to it. 

Many of the congregation remember the huge brass chande- 
lier and pleasant organ of the old church. These were their 
gifts ; the former in 1792, the latter in 1797. 

* The old church was sold to the contractors for 450 dollars, and they were 
about to remove it in the spring of 1S13, when on a remonstrance being made 
to the consistory against thus depriving the congregation of a place of worship 
while the new house was building, the contract was annulled, and it was left 
standing until 1 8 14. 

In the remonstrance allusion is made to the desecration of the old church 
by lawless persons breaking the seats and pews, and it was advised to prose- 
cute the marauders. 

—Consistory Minutes. 

In the Treasurer's book is the following entry under date 5th July, 1814 : 
' ' To paid for liquor when the old spire was taken down, 37^ cents. Nov. 
30th, 1 814. Charles Kane and Henry Yates bought the old church for 
$442.50. 

fAbraham Fonda's Bible. 

JThe dimensions of the church of 1734 were 80 feet by 56 feet, those of 
the church of 1S14 were 86 feet by 57 feet. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 149 

The great chandelier {groote kroon) had eighteen lights, be- 
sides which there were seven lesser ones {kleyndere kroonen) of 
six lights each, costing altogether £67-10 New York currency. 

The money for the organ was given in 1797, and suffered to 
accumulate until 1826(?) when an instrument was obtained from 
Henry Erben, of New York, at the cost of 1,000(?) dollars. This 
w\as consumed with the church in 1861. 

Tlie action of the consistory in regard to these donations may 
be seen in the following extracts from their minutes : — 

Sept. 17th, 1792. "Mr. Nicolaas Vander Volgen and his 
wufe Sarah Vander Volgen have presented to the church of 
Schenectady a great chandelier of 18 lights and seven lesser 
chandeliers each of 6 lights ; the sum given therefor by them 
was £67-10. Wherefore the consistory in the name of the 
church heartily and solemnly thank Mr. N. Vander Volgen and 
his wife for this handsome donation for the accommodation of 
the evening service, praying the Lord that they with the church 
may for a fong time enjoy the use thereof in peace and good 
health. The consistory were 

D. Romeyn, Pastor loci. 
Nicholas Hall, Abram Oothout, 

Gerrit S. Veeder, Jr., Thos. BrouwerBaucker, 

Nicholas Veeder, Abram Swits, 

Simon J. Van Antwerpen, Frederick Clute, 

Deacons. Elders. * 



* Sept. 17th, 1792. Dan heeft de Heer Nicholas Vander Volgen en syn 
huysrevrouw Sarah Vander Volgen Veeringe gemaakt aen de kerk van Sche- 
nectady Een groote Kroon van i8 lighten en seven Kleyndere Kroonen Van 
elk 6 lighten de kosten door hun E. geeven was de Somma van ;^67-io. 

Den E Kerkenraadt heeft daarop de Heer N. Vander Volgen en zyn huys- 
vrouw uyt naam van degemeente hertelyk en pleghtilyk bedankt Voor dese 
aanzienlyke Donatie, tot gereyvinge Van den Avont godadienst met nevens 
gaande Toebiddinge dat de Heere hun E nog lange tydt het nut daor van met 
de Gemeente zal doen genieten in Vreede en Welvaaren. 
Kerkenraadt Waaren. 

D. Romeyn, Pastor loci. 
Nicholas Hall, Abram Oothout, 

Gerrit S. Veeder, Jr., Thos. Brouwer Bancker, 

Nicholas Veeder, Abram Swits, 

Simon J. Van Antwerpen, Frederick Clute, 

Diaconen. Ouderlingen. 



150 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

April 3d, 1797. Mr. Nicholas Vaiider Volgen, Elder of the 
Consistory, having made known through Do. Romejm that his 
Honor had laid aside out of his estate £150 for the providing of 
an Organ for our Church, hoping that the Consistory would 
raise the rest of the money required for the purchase of such an 
organ as may be suitable for our Chui-ch building — the Consis- 
tory is very sensible of the favor of this charitable gentleman, 
and thank his Honor cordially for this gift. Furthermore, 

Resolved, That means be taken at once to raise money to be 
added thereto for the purchase of a good organ for our church. * 

9th May, 1797. Resolved, That a subscription be opened at 
once for the organ, and presented to every householder belong- 
ing to our church for subscriptions — the Consistory shall at once 
promote this project, each elder and deacon taking Ms own 
neighborhood, f 

May 26th, 1797. Received by the hand of Derick Van 
Ingen, as executor of the last will and testament of Nicholas 
Vander Volgen, the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds for 
the purchase of an Oi-gan. 

7th April, 1800. "As the late Mr. Nicholas Vander Volgen 
some years ago made an additional donation to the chandeliers 

*Ap. 3th, 1797. Mr. Nicholaas Vander Volgen, Ouderlingen der E. Ker- 
kenraadt bekent gemaakt hebbende door D. Romeyn dat zyn E ;^i5o uvt 
zyn goederen dfgelegen hadde tot verzorginge van een Orgel in onse kerke 
wenschende dat den E Kerkenraad de overige Verevsclite gelden daar by 
Willde doen tot Verkryginge van sulke Orgel als ons kerk gebouw sal Voe- 
gen. 

De E Kerkenraad is zeer gevoelig Van de gunste van deze goedadige Heer, 
on bedankt zyn E. hertgrondiglyk voor dese gifts. Voorts. Besloten, 

Ten eersten middelen aante wenden tot Verkryginge van Penningen Welke 
hier toegevoeght moeten werden all ook tot Verkryginge van een goede Orgel 
voorouse kerk. 

— Consistory Minutes. 

t 9th May, 1797. Besloten, Eene subscriptie Voor de Orgol ten eerste te 
openen en by zeder buys tot onse gemeente behoorende aan tebieden ter 
teekkinge, suUende de kerkenraadt dit ten eerster bevorderen elk der Ouder- 
lingen en Diaconen haare buert daar:oe nemende. 

— Consistory minutes. 
May 26th, 1797. Aen Gelt ontvang By hande van Derick Van Inge als 
Voght van het Leste will and Testement van Niechs Vander Volgin Die 
Somme van Een Hondert en Vifttg Pont Vore het Gebruyck van Een Orgel. 

— Church acct. book. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 151 

given by hini sometime before, for the purpose of enabling the 
board to procure an Organ for the use of the Church, which do- 
nation amounted to £150, and which has accumulated by interest 
to something more than £180 ; and as the Consistory wish to 
obtain an organ for their Church as soon as may be, 

Resolved, Therefore, that a committee of three be appointed 
out of their congregation, who are hereby requested to call up- 
on the Collector of this board and select out of the obligations 
belonging to this Board, now in the hands of their Collector, an 
amount equal to £200, and that such committee attend to the 
annual interest with precision, and continue from year to year 
tlie said £200, by interest and private donations, until said sum 
shall amount to £400, unless the Consistory should call for a re- 
turn of said obligations at any time before, and that said Com- 
mittee report annually to the Board their progress when called 
up. That the Committee be Messrs. Gen. A. Oothout, Joseph 
C. Yates, Esq., Mayor of this city, and Dirk Van Ingen, Esq., 
who are hereby also authorized, wheii the money aforesaid shall 
have accumulated to a sufficient amount, Avith advice of any five 
members of this Board, three of them being Elders, to purchase 
such organ, and place the same in the church for the usp of the 
Congregation. 

Jan. 1st, 1806, a Committee was appointed to enquire respect- 
ing the fund bequeathed by Mr. Vander Volgen for an Organ. 
* * * They rejjort that the money was paid to the Church 
and blended in the General Fund. * 

Finally April 3d, 1817, the Consistory acknowledged the re- 
ceipt of £150 from the Heirs of Nicholas Vander Volgen. And 
about 1826 this bequest and its accumulations were invested in 
an Organ." 

* Consistory minutes. 



] 52 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE CHURCH OF 18C3. 

Oil the 6th day of August, 1861, a destructive fire occurred 
on the river bank near the Mohawk bridge. Owing to the 
strong northerly wind prevailing many buildings were destroyed 
before the fire could be subdued. The burning shingles were 
carried to all parts of the city. One of these alighted upon the 
belfry of the Church, which was several hundred feet south of 
the conflagration. Before it was discovered the flames had 
made such headway that no human aid could save the building — 
in one hour nothing was left of this beautiful house but the bare 
walls and the smoking embers. 

For some years the congregation had been straitened for 
room and, as in 1810, the question of enlargement had been 
long agitated. Even the formation of the Second Church had 
not materially relieved the pressure. 

After the fire, a portion of the congregation advocated en- 
largement and rebuilding upon the old walls, which were still 
sound. Wiser counsels, however prevailed, and it Avas resolved 
to build anew from the foundation. 

In carrying out these views the Consistory committed the 
designing of the new House to Edward Tuckerman Potter, Esq., 
of New York, who in his "statement of the considerations 
influencing the design of this church " says. " The first point 
to be considered, in making this as every design, was the wants 
to be provided for — the second how to provide for them at the 
least cost and at the same time to secure a pleasing result. The 
congregation desired a Church building capable of seating about 
eight hundred persons — a consistory room, which should also be 
used for a Sunday School room, and a tower and spire. The 
lot being on the corner of two principal streets, the problem, 
which I set for myself was, how to place these required build- 
ings on it so as to produce the best effect for the sum to be 
expended. Some of the Congregation proposed a Consistory 
room placed on one of the streets, but separate from the Church 
as the old one had been ; but this would have made one contrast 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 153 

ill with the other, and would have cut up the lot to a disadvan- 
tage, and have thrown away that important element of architec- 
tural effect — mass. It seemed better therefore to group them 
so as to make one architectural whole. Again it was pj-oposed 
to place the Church in the centre of the lot, with the Consistorv 
behind it and the tower in front — a common plan. This would 
have left no grass or place of any kind in front, but merely two, 
strips of grass on the sides." 

" These considerations suggested the arrangement of the pres- 
ent plan, which combined all the buildings in one group, — a 
group convergent or pyramidal in its lines — the tower and spire 
from every point of view forming always the centre of the pic- 
ture. In addition to this the building so arranged left the un- 
employed space on the lot where it would most tell ; and by 
placing the group of buildings somewhat back from the open 
sides of the lot the space for the greensward was further en- 
larged, so that it is common to hear the remark that the church 
is fortunate in having such a fine site and so much open space 
about it, when in truth it was the planning the Church which 
gave the open space which is admired, and Avhich as we have 
seen would not have existed if the plan first proposed had been 
followed." 

" It was originally my intention to choose the style in which 
many of the Dutch Churches of the state were at one time 
built ; such as the North Dutch Church, Fulton street, New 
York, Dr. Wyckoff's Church, Albany, &c. But the steej) Dutch 
gables of Schenectady, and the views which had been preserved 
of the churches erected in the early days of the Dutch Colony 
l)ointed to an older and more picturesque style, and one more 
suited to the site, the character of the building and the reminis- 
cences which I wished to preserve." 

" The material to be used also had necessarily much to do 
with the choice of a style. A more beautiful and economical 
material, or a more durable one when propei-ly used than the 
purple grey wacke of Schenectady, it would be hard to find. The 
builders in the Fatherland, however, had no such material, and 
their great churches, though built in the pointed style, as were 
early Dutch Churches on this Continent, have a meagreness and 
an absence of distinctive features, which afford little that is 
noticeable or that can be copied. And except the great use of 

20 



154 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

the richly stained glass, the frequent introduction of armorial 
bearings and texts of vScripture as ornaments, the use of cor- 
ners, painted arches, high pitched gables, tfec, — features, indeed, 
which are not the exclusive property of the pointed style of any time 
or country, though introduced on this Contineiit from Holland — 
there was little to be found in the Church architecture of the 
Fatherland, sufficiently distinctive to serve as a model ; and the 
architect was left to use his material, a more beautiful one, as 
has been said, than that used in Holland, — in the way to which 
that material was best suited. Moreover as economy was a 
prime consideration, it was necessary, both externally and in- 
ternally to do every thing which must be done, in such a way as 
to add to the general effect — to cover up nothing merely to hide 
it, — and to spend Avhat little money could be devoted to orna- 
ment on one or two points, instead of frittering it away over the 
whole building." 

The following brief description was published in the Christian 
Intelligencer ?,ouietime after the dedication of the Church in 1863. 

" One of the first things that strikes a stranger is the fine site 
of the Church. It stands on a corner of two of the principal 
streets, two wide, shady, pleasant and not too busy streets the 
lot is one hundred and forty-one feet six inches, by one hun- 
dred and eighty-nine feet." * 

" The £Ihurch faces Union street, the Consistory room faces 
Church street. The end of the Consistory abuts against the 
side of the Church forming an inverted I In the 

angle so formed stands the tower surmount- | edbya 

spire. * * * * The whole building, including butresses, 
measures outside one hundred and thirteen feet from North to 
South and one hundred and sixteen feet from East to West ; and 
it is one hundred and seventy feet from the ground to the top of 
the spire. It is built of stone and roofed with slate. The color 
of the stone used for the walls is a beautiful purple grey, varied 
by the introduction of stones of other colors, principally Con- 

* The Church lot was originally one hundred by two hundred feet, Amster- 
dam measure, or about ninety-three by one hundred and eighty-seven English 
feet. Deeming this too narrow, the Consistory, in 1861, purchased the ad- 
joining lot on the East, of the heirs of Isaac Riggs, thus increasing the width 
of the site forty-six feet. The price paid was $2,605. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 155 

necticut brown stone. The tracery of the large Rose WindoAV 
over the entrance is of Caen Stone. The main entrance is en- 
riched with polished shafts of red granite, with bases and capi- 
tals of Nova Scotia stone, the latter carved with representations 
of the principal productions of the Mohawk Valley, such as 
oats, broom corn, hops, &c. The text of Scripture carved over 
this door it the following " : "I have brought the first fruits of 
the land, which thou O Lord hast given me." Deut. 26 : 10. 

"One of the side entrances is called in accordance with an old 
Dutch Custom the Brides door, and over it is a little triplet 
window with shaftlets of polished white marble, whose capitals 
are filled with orange blossoms carved in stone." 

The legend over this door is the following text of scripture : — 
"His banner over me was love," * Canticles II : 4. 
[The eastern side entrance named " Forefather's Door," con- 
tains the scripture passage from 1 King's 8:57 " The Lord our 
God be with us as he was with our fathers."] 

"These beautiful passages f from the word of God take the 
place of those symbols sometimes seen in painted architecture, 
the use of which is by our Catechism forbidden.'" 

" The dimensions of the interior are as follows : the church 
is sixty by one hundred feet : the Consistory fifty by thirty feet 
and the tower about sixteen feet square. In the latter a book 
case is recessed in the wall for the Sunday School Library. The 
Church and Consistory have open timbered roofs, the former 
being fifty-eight feet and the latter forty-four feet high from 
floor to ridge. There are no galleries except one at the entrance 
end of the Church. A space for the Choir is provided in con- 
nection with the organ behind the pulpit. By thus placing the 
organ behind the pulpit, and so grouping the representatives of 
the preaching, prayer and praise which make up our worship, 
that barrenness of the pulpit end of the interior, which in so 
many of our churches makes itself painfully felt, is here avoided. 
The Consistory room that featui-e peculiar to us, is also made to 
add greatly to the effect of the building, both externally and 
internally. The screen which divides it from the Church is 
composed of carved black Walnut and plate glass — is thirty 

* [ Carved in May, 1880. W. E. G. ] 

+ [five in number, three of which are in gold, W. E. G.] 



] 56 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

feet wide and over forty feet high, and by an arrangement of 
weights * in themselves ornamental can be opened or closed. 
The advantage of this was shown on the occasion of the dedica- 
tion when the Consistory room was filled by the overflow of the 
congregation, who were thus enabled as well as those in the 
Church, to see and hear and take part in the Services. The 
windows are so managed that while there is no glare to the eye, 
a softened light falls from above on the faces of both preacher 
and people. One of the principal windows bears the arms of 
the Dutch church and its mottoes ; Nisi Dominus frustra : 
Eendracht maakt macht. The windows of the tower (which open 
into both Church an Consistory by large archways) contain 
views of four of the different churches which have succeeded 
each other during a period of nearly two hundred years. In 
other windows may be seen the Coats of Arms of some of the 
Dutch families of Schenectady. * * * One of the pleasant 
things connected with the building of this church is the gener- 
osity which has been called forth. The organ, t a beautiful 
instrument in every sense ; the pulpit of carved black walnut 
enriched with costly marbles ; the screen before spoken of ; % 
and all the windows, are gifts to the church, some of them by 
persons not residents of Schenectady, but who thus give evidence 
that they have not forgotten that they are her children." 

" All the windows are filled with stained glass. A good deal 
of color has been introduced in the interior decoration. All the 
construction is in sight and made serve a decorative purpose. 
The building is equally well finished in every part. No imita- 
tions have been used ; stone, wood, iron and plaster, all showing 
for just what they are." 1| 



* [these weights were removed several years ago, after an accident, and the 
windows are now raised by concealed pulleys like ordinary window sashes. 
[W. E. G.] 

t the gift of the hte Abraham Doty, a former officer of the church. [W. 
E. G.] 

X the screen and pulpit were the gift of Mr. Gershora Bancker. [W. E. G.] 

II For a full and detailed description of this church reference may be had to 
the architects " statement of the considerations influencing the the design of 
the First Dutch Reformed Church, Schenectady, N. Y.," published in 1868. 

For a plan of this church see appendix D. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 157 

Every one of the upright windows and the two large rose 
windows of the church were presented by friends or mem- 
bers in their own name or in memoriam of relatives. The 
North rose window, representing in stained glass, Faith, 
Hope and Charity, was presented by the daughters of 
the late Andrew Yates, a former professor in Union Col- 
lege. The South rose window, presented by the members 
of the Vedder family, contains the coat of arms of the House 
of Orange with the added motto of the Dutch Church, and is 
set in Caen Stone. The four triplet windows at the North and 
South angles of the Eastern and Western walls were presented 
by John McNee, Jacob V. Vrooman and Nicholas Van Vrauken. 
The windows in the South and North and West walls of the 
church are the gift of Henry Rosa, Albert Ward, Martin De- 
Forest, Mrs. Amelia Klein Groot and Casper F. Hoag. The 
East wall is pierced by five windows. The first is the gift of 
P. W. Holmes, in memory of his grandfather, Volkert Douw 
Oothout. The second is in memory of Helen Ann Consaul. The 
third is the gift of Julia T. Doty, and the fourth of William H. 
Helmer. The fifth is in memory of Jonas Holland, born March 
10th, 1784, died March 25th, 1839. The uninscribed tower 
window of black walnut and plate glass was given by Peter B. 
Yates. The windows in the tower room are the gifts of Aaron 
Barringer and Chauncy Vibbard. In the Consistory room, he 
South window was given by Thomas B. Mitchell. Of the North 
windows, one is in memory of Abraham A. and Marie Truax, 
and the other two contain the coats of arms of the Cuyler and 
Clute families. Of the five windows over the entrance door, 
the centralone is the gift of Nicholas Cain, and the others of 
Thomas H. Reeves, Daniel Vedder, Chai'les N. Yates and 
Charles E. Angle. Since the church was erected, eight or more 
of the donors have died, so that several of these windows are 
already in memoriam of the departed friends, whose names they 
bear. The tablet set in the niche in the eastern wall, reads as 
follows : 



158 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



TO THE 

GLORY 

OF 

ALMIGHTY GOD, 

IN HONOR OF THE FOUNDERS OF THIS CITY 

A. D. 1662. 

AND OF THIS CHURCH 

A. D. 1680. 

IN PITIFUL REMEMBRANCE OF THE MARTYRS WHO PER- 
ISHED IN THE MASSACRES, 
OF 

FEBRUARY 8th 1699, AND JULY i8th 1748. 

IN REVERENT MEMORY OF THEIR FOREFATHERS. 
IN GRATITUDE TO THEIR BENEFACTORS, 

HANS JANSE ENKLUYS, DEID 1683. 

AND 

NICHOLAS VAN DERVOLGEN, DIED 1799. 

AND IN TESTIMONY OF THE FAITHFUL LABORS OF THEIR 
PASTORS. 

Petrus Taschenmaecker.... 1684- 1690 John H. Meier 1803-1806 

Bernardus Freeman 1700-1705 Cornelius Bogardus 1808-1812 

Johannes Lydius 1705-1709 Jacob Van Vechten 1815-1849 

"Thomas Brouwer 1715-1728 William J. R. Taylor 1749-1853 

Reinhardt Erichzon 1728-1736 Julius H. Seelye , 1853-1858 

Cornelius Van Santvoord.. .1740-1752 Denis Wortman 1865-1870 

Barent Vrooman 1754-1784 Ashbel G. Vermilye 1871-1876 

Dirck Romeyn 1784-1804 Wm. Elliot Griffis 1877 

Jacob Sickles 1794-1797 

THE PEOPLE OF THIS CHURCH CELEBRATE THEIR 
200th ANNIVERSARY. 

AND 
ERECT THIS MEMORIAL 

JUNE 2 1st, 1880. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 159 



This edifice was dedicated to the purpose of worship and 
praise on the 6th day of Aiigust, 1863,— the anniversary of the 
destruction of the former house two years before. The sermon 
on this occasion was preached by Rev. Doctor Edward E. Seelye, 
his text being the fifth verse of the seventh chapter of Luke, 
" For he loveth our nation and he hath built us a synagogue." 
The following tablet set into the niche reserved for it on the 
western wall of the church, to the right of the pulpit was 
erected in 1878. 
THE REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH 

OF 

SCHENECTADY. 

Founded A. D. 1680. 

This edifice, the corner-stone of which was laid May 29th, 1862, 

was dedicated 

TO THE WORSHIP OF ALMIGHTY GOD 

August 6th, 1863. 
EDWARD E. SEELYE, Pastor. 

Simon C. Groot, H. V. V. Clute, 

Martin DeForest, Abram Doty, 

Casper F. Hoag, Thomas B Mitchell, 

Abram Vrooman, Cornelius Thompson, 

Building Committee. 

Edward Tuckerman Potter, Architect. 
Ponsonby and Magin, Master Masons. Peter Van Dyck, Mas- 
ter Carpenter. 



160 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



. CHAPTER XIII. 

THE VOORLEZER, VOORSANGER AND KLOKLUYER ; BURIAL CUS- 
TOMS AND PLACES. 

Voorlezer. — The duties of Voorlezer and Voorsanger were 
usually uiuted in the same person and defined in the following 
resolution of the consistory : — 

January 8th, 1810, "Resolved that in future tlie clerk of the 
church shall commence the public service in the morning with 
the reading of the ten commandments, a chapter of the Bible * 
and Psalm or Hymn at discretion, and in the afternoons, with 
the reading of the articles of the Creed together with the chap- 
ter and Psalm or Hymn." In addition to the above he had "the 
right and emoluments of burying the dead of the congregation." 
Next to the minister he was the most important officer of the 
church. 

According to tradition the first Voorlezer of this church was 
Harmen Albertse Vedder, and the second his son Albert. They 
were succeeded by the following persons : — 

Jan Dellamont, 1735-49, with a salary of £7 to £12. 

Philip Riley, t 1750-57, " " £8-10 to £14. 

Johannes Van Sice, 1758-66, " " £12. 

Daniel Price, 1768. 

Pieter Van Benthuysen, 1768-70, " " £12. 

Cornelis DeGraaf, 1771-1800, " " £20, or $50. 

Simon J. Van Antwerp, English 

clerk, 1798-1801, " " £10. 

Cornelius Van Vranken, 1801, " " $50. 

Cornelius Zeger Van Santvoord, 1802. 

* 1759 aen Johannes Vedder voor een Voorlezeri Byble. ;f200. 

— Church acct. book. 
t Philip Ryley was Cataehisatic Meester (and probably Voorsanger & dood- 
graver) of the church of Albany in 1761 ; in 1767 the church of Schenectady 
complained that he had taught unsound doctrine, and he was called upon by 
the Church of Albany to recant, refusing to do so, they deprived him of his 
office of voorlezer, doodgraver &c., and ordered him to vacate his house. 

—Albany Church minutes. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 161 



John J. Van Antwerp, 1803. 

Arent A. Vedtler, * 1 804-8. 

William R. Bogardiis, 1809-18. 

Abraham Swits, 18U. 

EliudL. Davis, 1815-22, («)withasala.7 of*, o. 

To"m„.-ove the Psalmody of the congvegat.on, on the 18th 
of February, 1794, the Consistory took the tollown,g action: 

"The Consistory taking into consideration the defectrve con- 
dition of the Dutch Psalmody in the public worship of this 

"'"Retolved, That Cornelis DeGraaf, the Chorister, shall use his 
endlavt^, in each family of this village and elsewhere, to ob- 

tlh, pupil iu singi-e. °n «°"'"''°" *''' <'"°'' '^^\''?^ °'T 
i":' d xpencramonth,the Consistory also adchng thereto 

or'each scholar for the term "^ -/ ""f ^l °™ t^'^ C "n 
six pence a month ; provided a certificate be shown to the Con- 
s story signed by Mr. DeGraaf that each scho ar has ddigent ly 
8Te,7his fime as he ought. Also IVIr. DeGraaf m singing shall 
:fy to obse"e the measure of the half notes and soften hisvoice 
as much as possible." ^, r. • • 

If tradition tells the truth respecting Mr. DeGraaf s singing 
the advice last given was by no means inappropriate. It is sad 

hat wMle sitting on the " back stoop "of '>- ^ouse \en s^^^^^^^^ 
ine upon the site of Mrs. Abel Smith's house m State stieet, he 
be.Xd the evening hours in summer by psalm singmg and 
tha"t his voice could be clearly heard two miles up the river m a 

"If;j;:-The sext„n of the church was called the A7„*- 
W or be liinger and his duties seem to have been not only to 
ZgZ bell, bit to keep the benches and seats in F0P« «* 
and to dig and Ml the graves. The earliest mention of this 
officer by the church records is the followmg :- 



■..,S Feb 6th Arer.t A. Vedder was rW...r of the Church of Albany. 
■ 177b, teb. bin. Are..i n.. —Consistory minutes. 

21 



162 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

of 60 guilders, seawant, [$7.50], to begin on this 1st July. Thus 
done in Schenectady this 1st July, 1696." * 

Simon Groot senior mentioned in this resolution was the first 
of the name, who settled at Schenectady and the ancester of all 
the Groots found in this vicinity. He and his five sons were 
carried away captive in to Canada by the French and Indians 
in 1690. 

The salary of the sexton down to 1735 was 60 guilder or 
$7.50. This year Hendrick Vrooman filled the office and was 
succeeded by Joseph Van Sice until 1747 at a yearly stipend of 
£6 or $15. ' 

Margarita Veeder, f widow of Syraon Volkertse Veeder, held 
the office during the years 1748-9 for £3-10 or $8.25. 

From 1750 to 1758 Sara Marselis was kloMvyer, the duties 
being performed for £4 or $10 "iy haar neger Sees." 

In 1759 Isaac Quackenbos' neger rang the bell ; — and "Peeter 
Seesar" (Caesar) from 1760 to 1766, for £6 per. an. 

Jacobus Van Sice was sexton from 1771 to 1791, at a salary 
of £10 and was succeeded by his son Gysbert, who was dis- 
missed from office in 1799 for an unfortunate indiscretion, as 
will appear from the following extract from the Consistory 
minutes : — 

"October 25th, 1799. A complaint having been delivered in 
against G. Van Sice, the Sexton, that he had delivered the scull 
of a corpse to the house of Doctor Anderson ; being sent for 
and interrogated, he finally confessed that he had taken a scull 
out of the burying yard and delivered it to Mr. Hagaman, 
student of medicine wdth Dr. Anderson." 

" Resolved, That Van Sice without fail return the scull to- 
morrow morning and dej^osit it in presence of one of the mem- 
bers of this board in the place whence it Avas taken." 

" Resolved, Moreover, that said Van Sice be and is hereby 
dismissed from his service as Sexton." 



* KerkenRaad gehouden desen len July, 1696. Is geresolveert dat 
Simon Groot d' oude voor het Klokluyden, bank en stoelen setten in de kke, 
jaarlyx uyt d inkomsten der kke of uyt de kasse des diaconye jaarlyx genieten 
sul de some van 60 gl zeewant welk syn aanvang desen len July nemensal. 
Aldus in Schenechtade desen len July, 1696. 

+ she lived on the north corner of Union and Church streets, 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 163 



- 96tli Oct., 1799. Mr. Lighthall was appointed bexton m 
the place of G. Van Sice removed." He continued m o&ce un- 
til 1829, and ivas succeded by John TenEyck. 

It would appear from the following resolution of the Consis- 
tory that it was the divty of the Sexton to preserve order m 
Ch i;ch during public worship, and it is presumed that he ears 
of not a few of the worthy burgers of Schenectady will tingle 
: the, eld his extract and remember the faithful services o 
:hose ancient worthies Lighthall and TenEyck, in carrymg out 
the behests of their superiors. , ■ .. 

-June 8th, 1880, Resolved, That the Sexton is authorized by 
this board to maintain due order in Church during public wor- 
ship and that he shall be indemnified against any legal process 
wh ch may arise in consequence of correcting or turning out of 
church, the unruly and refractory ; provided he do not essentialh 
injure, or scandalously abuse any person. 

Funerals.-At funerals "no woman attended the body to the 
grave, but after the corpse was borne out, remained to eat cakes 
f nd drink spiced wine. They retired quietly before the men 

returned, who resumed the f ^-^ -^^ -f^^ ^^^^.^^^^""/P" et 
wine, and cakes and pies were provided, and wme and cakes 
L-e sent to the friends of the family. The best -om m the 
house was specially appropriated as the "dead room and was 
rarely Ipened but'to be aired and cleaned. Wealthy citizens in 
antiipation of a death in their famihes, were accustomed to 
procure a cask of wine during their lifetime and P-^'-d it fo 
This purpose." * When the coffin was removed from the house 
t w s iLed upon a bier at the door and covered with a pall of 
black cloth, t The bier was then borne i^on the Bhou deis of 
the bearers to the grave followed only by invited guests. The 
chief direction of the funeral ceremonies was taken by the Foo - 
ter assisted by the Klokluyer, and all their charges were reg^ 
lated by the Consistory. The following is a list of prices estab- 
lished in 1771.— 



* Annals of A-lbany I 129. 
pall nine pence. 



16s. 


to 20s. 


15s. 


to 19s. 


14s. 


to 18s. 


13s. 


to 17s. 


8s. 


to 12s. 


6s. 


to 10s. 


3s. 


to 7s. 



164 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

" Rules for Cornells DeGraaf, appointed Sexton the 18th of 
November, 1771, in regard to what he is at liberty to take for 
inviting [the friends] and burying [the dead] : 
" For a person of 20 j^ears and upwards, - 
For a person of 15 to 19 years, - - - 
For a person of 10 to 14 years, ' - 
For a person of 5 to 9 years. 
For a person of 1 to 4 years, - - - - 
For an unbaptised child [infant] when the bell 
shall be rung once, ----- 
For ditto when the bell shall not be rung; - 
For the Great Pall, ----- 3s. 

For the Little Pall, ----- -9d. 

All thus when he is obliged to invite [the friends] within the 
Village ; but when he likewise isobliged to extend the invitations 
without, he may ask 4 shillings [altered to 6 shillings] more 
each ; this is to be understood, as far as Claas Viele's, [upper end 
of Maalyck,] or this side ; but when he is obliged to extend in- 
vitations further — to Syme Vedder's, [Hoffman's Ferry,] or this 
side — then he may ask yet 3 shillings [altered to 6 shillings] 
more. The prices in the above standing rules are increased by 
reason of the hard times." 

" Regulations for Jacobus Van Sice, appointed grave-digger 
and bell-ringer for the dead, on the 18th November. 1771, in 
respect to what he may take for grave digging and bell-ringing: 
For a person of 7 up to and above 20 years, for a grave, 3 shil- 
lings, and for the bell 3 shillings. 
For a child of 1 to 6 years, for the grave 2 shillings, and for the 

bell 3 shillings. 
For an unbaptised child when the bell shall be rung once, for the 

grave 2 shillings, and for the bell 2 shillings. 
For tolling the bell he may likewise ask 1 shilling moi-e. 

The above mentioned Jacobus Van Sice shall, at his own ex- 
pence, keep proper tools for making and filling graves, likewise 
proper cords, tfec." 

The following is a list of persons for whose burial the Church 
Pall was used by Arent A. Vedder, Clerk and Sexton of the 
Church. He was obliged to pay to the Church three shillings 
each time he used the Pall for grown persons and nine-pence for 
small children : — 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



165 



1803, Sept. 8. 


Fred. Reese's child, . 


. £0-0-9 


9. 


Adam Van Slyck, . 


0-3-0 


" 22. 


William DeGraaf, . 


0-3-0 


Nov. 7. 


Myndert A. Wemple's child, . 


0-9 


" 21. 


Jacob Van Guysling, 


3-0 


Dec. 5. 


Sister's child, 


0-9 


" 26. 


Abm. Schermerhorn's wife. 


3-0 


" 31. 


Catharine Bradt, . 


3-0 


1804, Jan. 6. 


Wm. J. Schermerhorn's wife, . 


3-0 


" 22. 


A child of Esq. Wilkie, 


0-9 


" 23. 


Caty Barhydt, dau, of Jno. B. . 


3-0 


" 24. 


James Rosa's wife. 


3-0 


Mar. 10. 


Folkey Swits, . 


3-0 


April 10. 


a child of Corn. Van Antwerp 


-9 


u u 


a child of Saml. Jones, 


-9 


" 18. 


Domeny Romeyn, 


3-0 


June 7. 


Christopher Ward's son, . 


-9 


" 18. 


a dan. of Jno. R. Vrooraan, . 


3-0 


July, 9. 


a child of Harm. Van Slyck, . 


-9 


" 19. 


Nicholas Van Patten, . 


3-0 


" 27. 


a child of Jacob Van Antwerp, . 


-9 


Aug. 4. 


a child of James Rose, . 


-9 


" 10. 


a child of Mr. Tyms, 


-9 


" 11. 


a child of Mrs. Mackentire, . 


-9 


" 25. 


a child of James Van Sice, 


-9 


" • 30. 


Michael Tyms, 


3-0 


Sept. 9. 


Folkert Veeder, 


3-0 


" 12. 


John Toll, .... 


3-0 


" 19. 


a child of Corn Bradt, 


-9 


" 25. 


Folly Wemple, . 


3-0 


Oct. 1. 


Dau. of Johannes Vedder, . 


3-0 


3. 


Andrew Truax, . 


3-0 


4. 


Christina Moyston, . 


3-0 


7. 


Joseph Carley's child, . 


-9 




£3-8-3 


9. 


Alida Fonda wife of Jacob F. . 


3-0 


a u 


a child of Richd. Waldrum, . 


-9 



10. a child of Mr. Williams, 

11. a child of James Wood, 



-9 



166 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Nov, 

Dec. 

1805, Feb. 

Mar. 



June 2. 



21. John S. Bradt, .... 

17. a child of Nich. N. Marselis, 

12. a child of Jno. Bpt. Clute's wife's dau. 
9. Marta Frank's child, 

15. Abraham Fonda, .... 

6. Susan Truax, .... 

13. Elizabeth Visger, .... 
17. Gerardus Quackenbos' wife, . 
26. John Vrooraan — hermitage, 

2. Enietje Veedei', 

" 21. Richd. Wal drum's wife, . 

July 13. Jno. Baptist Van Eps, . 

" 18. Andrew McMartin, . 

" 21. John S. Bardydt's wife, 

" 23. Jno. F. Clute, . . , . 

" 24. a child of Mr. Cole, 

Aug. 8. a child of Mr. Jno. C. Barhydt. 

" " Harmanus Van Slyck, . 

" 10. a child of Rev. Nich. Van Vranken, 

" 15. Jacob Winne, .... 

" 17. Mr. Olsaver, .... 

" 24. Mr. Cai-penter, .... 

Sept. 5. a child of Wm. H. Peters, 



Sept. 12. Rykert Van Vranken, . 

" 16. a boy of Thos. Clinch, 

" 24. Abraham Groot, . 

" " a child of Thos. Clinch, . 

1. John W. Truax, . 

27. a dau. of Mr. Jno. Mynders, 

4. a child of Jno. Lambert, 

18. Albert Vedder, 

23. a dau. of Dav. Vander Heyden 



Oct. 



Nov. 



Dec. 



Wid. Eve Bradt and son, . 
Myndert Wemple's child, 
Christopher Ward's son, . 
Danl. Peek — 2ce the small one. 



3-0 

-9 

-9 

-9 

3-0 

3-0 

3-0 

3-0 

3-0 

3-0 

3-0 

3-0 

3-0 

3-0 

3-0 

-9 

-9 

3-0 

-9 

3-0 

3-0 

3-0 

-0 



£6 


-8 


-0 




3 


-0 

-9 




3- 


-0 




3- 


-0 




3- 


-0 




3 


-0 

-9 




3- 


-0 




3- 


-0 



10-6 

6-0 

-9 

-9 

1-6 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 167 



Arent Van Antwerp, . . . 3-0 



£8-5-9 
Sarah Wid. of Isaac Marselis, . 3-0 



£8 8-9 



Rec'd. Pay. 19th Feb., 1806. 

Prior to the year 1800 there liad probably been no hearse in 
the village ; in all funeral processions the bier and pall were 
used ; hence, as it was not convenient to carry the dead great 
distances in this manner, the people in the country buried upon 
their own lands. 

At a meeting of the Consistory held April 7th, 1800, it was 

" Resolved, That a herse be procured as soon as convenient 
for the use of carrying the dead of this Congregation to the 
burying ground, and also for the use of the public, under such 
regulations as this board shall afterward prescribe." 

And again December 3d, 1800, having obtained a hearse it 
was 

" Resolved, That the herse and harness be kept by the Sexton 
in some convenient place as near the burying ground as possi 
ble, to be provided by the Consistory ; and that whenever any 
of the citizens may want it, application be made to him, and 
that it be his duty to collect the fees." ***** 

Burial places. — The earliest public burying ground * in the 
village was on the West side of the first church at the junction 
of Church and State streets. After this plot of ground had 
been used for this purpose about 60 years another was selected 
without the palisades, — the grave yard lying between Front & 
Green streets. 

In 1705 this [spot together with all the land lying west of it 
to the Fort, then covered with woods was granted to Philip 
Schuyler for £18 N. Y. currency, or 45 Dollars. Two years 
before, Ryer Schermerhorn the sole living patentee had granted 

* It was not uncommon for persons residing without the village to bury 
their dead upon their own lands : Many of these enclosures are still found on 
the old homesteads along the banks of the Mohawk. The only private bury- 
ing ground known to have been within the village was that of Adam Vrooman. 
This was on his pasture lot on the North side of Front street, on lot now 
numbered 42 ; its dimensions were 46 feet in depth by 9^ feet in width. 



168 HISTORY OF THE GHURCH. 

4 morgens of wood land lying to the Eastward of the present 
burying grounds to Thomas Williams of Albany, who conveyed 
it, April 7th, 1709, to Arent Van Petten from whom it passed 
to his son Frederick. 

The following are abstracts from conveyances of the burial 
ground made to the Church : — 

August 1st, 1721. The Patentees of Schenectady conveyed 
to the Dutch Church a lot, " for a Christian burial place for all 
the Christians of the town of Schenectady and adjacent places" : 
* * * * u lying Eastward of the fort of Schenectady, the 
South side butting the roadway [Green street] opposite over 
against Dirk Groots' pasture ground 160 feet, — on the West 
side 240 feet, and on the East side [end] 338 feet long, butting 
the lot of Arent Van Petten ;— and on the North side [on Front 
street] is 195 feet long." * 

This conveyance was confirmed by another conveyance to the 
Church made March 1st, 1733-4, by Jan Wemp and Arent 
Bradt, the surviving trustees of the Common lands. 

* * * * * " A lot of land and burial place lying to the 
eastward of His Majesty,s fort, in Schenectady, and on the East 
side of a lot belonging to Benjamin Van Vleck — being bounded 
as follows : On the South by a road leads to Symon Groot's 
bridge, f [Green Street,] on the North by the road that goes to 
Jellis Fonda's, [Front Street,] and on the West by the lot of 
Benjamin Van Vleck: — Beginning from the Northeast corner of 
the lot of said Van Vleck [on Front Street] and running East 
217 feet to a stack put there unto the ground for a mark ; then 
South 330 feet to another stack put up there for a mark, [on 
North side of Green Street]; then West 155 feet to the South- 
east cornier of theLott of Benjamin Van Vleck ; and then North 
along the lot of said Van Vleck 232 feet to the place of begin- 
ning — all Amsterdam measure — for a Christian Buriall Place for 
all Christians in the said town and places adjacent that are now, 
or which from time to time and forever hereafter shall be." * 

On the 7th of August, 1765, Frederick Van Patten, for the 
sum of £125, conveyed to the Church a parcel of ground for an 

* See old deed among Church papers. 

t Symon Groot's bridge over Symon' s kil — now College brook -was within 
the yard of the Locomotive Works, and in a line with Pine Street. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 169 

addition to the East side of the burial grounds, which parcel is 
described as follows : — 

" All that parcel of land on the East side of the town on the 
South side of a street that comes out of said town and leads by 
Jacob Fonday's to the Aelplous, * [Front street], and also on 
the North side of a street [Green] that comes out of said town 
and leads bacli of his Majestys' fort by the house of Jacobus 
Van Vorst and Jeronimus Barheydt — being pu tied and bounded 
as followeth : — On the North the Highway leading by Jacob 
Fonday's to the Aelplaas aforesaid ; on the West the Church 
yard or burial place ; on the South the Highway that leads 
back of the Fort by Jacobus Van Vorst aforesaid : — On the 
East by a lott of ground [which the said Frederic Van Petten 
reserves for himself] laid out between the lott of Myndert 
Wemple and the here in above recited land, which lot is to con- 
tain in front along said street [Green] fifty feet and in rare [rear] 
along the lot of Zeger Van Santfort 53 feet all woodmeasure, 
and the above rented ground is also bounded on the East by a 
lot of ground heretofore sold to Zeger Van Santfort." t 

A great majority of the peojile buried their dead in the 
common burying ground, but for those who coveted the honor 
or sanctity of a grave in the church, this privilege could be 
bought for about twenty times the price of a common grave. 
The following were the rules for burying the dead in the Church 
in 1759 : 

For persons of twelve years old and upwards there shall be 
paid three pounds. For graves of children of four years to 
twelve, forty shillings. And for the grave of a young child up 
to four years of age, four & twenty shillings. % 

Monuments — No head stones are found at the graves of the 
first settlers ; the graver's art did not then exist among them, 
and the marble and granite had not then been quarried. 

* The Aelplaas was above the State dam at the Aqueduct. 

t It is believed that this lot of Zeger Van Santvoord, fronting on Front St. 
was subsequently acquired by the Church and added to the burial ground. 

— See church papers. 

X Regelatie voor Grafien in de kerck van Dooden als Volght : — Van Twalf 
Jaaren out tot dat sy out syn sullen daar Voor Betalen Drie Pont, — En voor 
de Graften van kinderen van vier Jaar out Tot Twalf Jaaren out Veertigh 
Schellinge, — En voor Een graft van En Jonck kint Tot vier Jaaren out vier 
en Twentigh Schellinge. 

22 



170 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

The oldest gravestone found in the city was a few years since 
taken from a cellar wall into which it had been built, having 
been used evidently as a whetstone many years after it had 
served the purpose of a funeral monument. It was a fragment 
of the blue stone, found in the quarries East of the City ; its 
dimensions were fourteen by seven inches and four inches thick 
and bore the following inscription rudely and slightly cut : — 
Anno 1690 
Den XX8 May 
is myn soon in den 
Here gerust 
Hendrick Jansen 
Vrooman. 
Jan Vrooman. 
[Translation.] "On the 28th of May, in the year 1690, my 
son, Hendrick Vrooman, rested in the Lord. Jan Vrooman." 

The oldest grave stone in the Church burying ground was set 
up in 1722, and is of the same material as the above m^entioned 
stone. 



CHAPTEH XIV. 



ENDOWMENTS. 



Probably no church in the State, outside of the city of New 
York, was so munificently endowed as that of Schenectady. In 
1740 she owned fully 12 square miles of land in this county, 
which, had it been conveyed by long leases and not in fee, 
would have been worth to her now from $300,000 to $500,000. 
All this magnificent estate has passed away, and fortunately at 
this time she possesses barely a tine house of worship and the 
lot upon which it stands. I say fortunately, for it seldom hap- 
pens that great wealth in a church conduces to growth of piety 
among her members. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 171 

Several reasons may be assigned for the dissipation of this 
large property. Inasmuch as the pew rents covered but a small 
part of the current expenses of the church, this deficiency was 
su})plied from time to time by the sales of the patent lands, 
which were held of little account except for pasturage and tim- 
ber and were sold therefore at a low figure. Moreover, if tra- 
dition be correct, large portions also of this fair domain were 
frittered away in gifts to the relatives and friends of influential 
members of the congregation, under cover of convevances, with 
a mere nominal consideration. Only a brief description can be 
given here of the chief pieces of real estate that have been 
owned by this church. 

1. Church sites. — The first in order of time was the old site 
at the junction of Church and State streets. It must have been 
reserved for this purpose from the first laying out of the village, 
before the year 1664, which accounts for the great width of 
Church street. Its dimensions North and South were 56 feet, 
East and West 46 feet, Amsterdam measure, together with a 
strip of 1.5 feet wide upon the West side for a burying ground. 
Subsequently it was extended South 84 feet towards the creek — 
the rear line being 44^ feet. * On this extension now stands the 
house which belonged to the late Gerardus Q. Carley. 

After having been used for various public purposes the Con- 
sistory resolved, in 1785, to build their new Academy upon it ; 
afterwards, to erect a dwelling house upon it ; and finally to 
convey it to Arent S. Vedder for the same purpose. But all 
these projects failed because it was manifestly unsuitable for a 
building site (saving the rear on Mill Creek) and especially that 
portion which had been used for more than 50 years as a village 
burial ground. 

Finally when the Church began their new" House of Worship, 
in 1812, the Consistory resolved to sell this lot together with 



* About fifty years affer the village was laid out the church first received a 
formal conveyance of their House of Worship and lot from the Patentees of 
Schenectady. This is dated 3d October, 1715, and on the back is this en- 
dorsement made doubtless at a later daty : 

" Wood measure " [ii inches to the foot.] 

"The front is 60 [feet] 

"behind 44^ 

" Deph 140 



172 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



their other church site at the junction of Church and Union 
Streets to the City for 200 acres of land, worth at least $10 an 
acre ; " Provided that these two lots shall never be used for 
private purposes, but left open in the street for public conven- 
ience." 

2. De Arme Wey or Poor Posture. — Of all the ample domains 
of the Church De Arme wey was the longest held and the last 
sold. The title deeds of this property are lost if any ever ex- 
isted ; even tradition is at fault, and the donor's true name has 
utterly perished from the remembrance of those who have been 
benefitted by it. 

The story has been told that Jan Rinckhout gave this property 
to the church reserving simply " a small spot on which he erect- 
ed a hut partly under ground," and there lived a hermit life. 

Rinckhout was a baker in Albany, but about 1670 removed to 
Schenectady, having leased his house and bakery to Antony 
Lespinard, " with privilege of baking for Christians and sav- 
ages." He was living in Schenectady as late as 1704. when his 
son, Jurriaen, dying, made provision in his will that his wife, six 
children and father, Jan, should be maintained out of his real 
and personal estate here and in New York. It is certain that 
the Church owned De Arme Wey seventeen years prior to this 
date. These facts therefore render it quite improbable that Jan 
Rinckhout was the donor. 

Discarding tradition and romance the evidence is clear that 
the true benefactor of " the poor of Schenectady " was Hans 
Janse Eencluys, an ancient servant and soldier of the Dutch 
West India Company. He early came to New Netherland, and 
was sent by Governor Van Twiller, in 1632, to erect the arms 
of the States General at a spot called Kievits Hoek [Saybrook] . 
at the mouth of the Connecticut river. 

On the occasion of Governor Stuyvesant's visit to Rensselaer- 
swyck, in 1648; he w^•^s employed to clean the Heer Patroon's 
cannons and to fire the salutes. As early as 1668 he was an In- 
habitant of Schenectady, where he continued to reside until his 
death, in 1683, after which event the Deacons of the Church, 
Johannes Pootman and Sweer Tfunis Van Velsen, petitioned 
the Court of Albany for authority to administer upon his estate, 
saying that on the 7th day of March, 1 674-5, he [Hans Janse 
Eenkluys] had made over to the poor of Schenectady his plan- 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 17 3 

tation, upon couditioii that he should be maintained in his ohl 
age and weakness, and that on the 2nd of May, 1680, he had 
made the Deacons of the Church administrators of his whole 
estate. They aver, also, that thirteen years ago [1670] he be- 
gan to be very weak, that they had given him support while 
living and had paid the expenses of his funeral. 

This petition to the court of Albany — the only clue to the 
Church's title to this valuable property — is as follows: — 
Aende E. Achtbr Heeren 

Commissarissen Van Albany 
Colonic rensselaersw : etc. 
Verthoonth met behoorelyke reuerentie Johannes Footman 
ende Sweer Theunissen diaconen van Schaenhechtade, hoe dat 
eenen Hans Janssen op den 7 raeert 1674-5 heeft ouergedraegen 
aende aermen van Schaenhechtade zeecke zyne plantage raede 
gelegen aen Schaenhechtade onder conditie dat hy in zynen 
ouderdom ende Swackheyt daer voor zoude onderhouden werd- 
den, blyckende by zyne handt teeckeninge op Dato Voor de het 
is nu soe dat de supplianten Voor c£t den seluen eenigen tydt 
Volgens zyne Valmacht in den dato den 2 May, 1680, onder- 
houdt hebben gegeuen, ende mitsgaders zyne begraeftenisse be- 
kosticht, ende dat op den thoon beginnento Komen seer Swacke 
reckeningen vvel Van dertien Jaeren geleden, d' welcke den 
supplianten doet bedencken hierinne niet to administeeren Sen- 
der UE. Achtbr notitie Versoeckende derhaluen hierinne to mo- 
den genieten het beste benelitien Voor den aermen Volgens 
zyne begeerte waerop haer Verlaeten blyuen 
UE. Achtbr diensten 
onderdaenen 

Johannes Footman 

Sweer thoonissen Van Velsen. * 
[Endorsed upon this paper is the following : ] 
Haer E vand Gerechte Ravvoyerden C Supplianten aen D 
Commiss. Van Shinnechtady. Actum in Albany op den 1 May, 
1683. 

Fr. Cur. 

Fet. Livingston, Seer. 
request voor de Diaconen van Schaenhechtade. 

* See Church papers. 



171 IIISTOKV OF TIIK Clllia II. 

This Plantation is first mentioned in the Church hooks in 
16H7, wlien it w:i.s leased to Synien Groot. Barent Wenijt and 
(iyshert (ierritse Van Hrakel for S2 ijuilders ($:32.HO) per an. 
The rent wa.s paid chiefly in wheat at live skijtples the heaver, or 
SO cents a bushel. Ahout this time it be«,'an to he called />e H'ey, 
I/ans Jan.se' It Wetj, and De Arm«^ Wey. 

In 1742-8 it was leased to (4illis Fonda f(.r JtlD-T (4H.38). 

To C'ornelis DeGraaf it was leased in 17H1 for £36, or $90. 
17H4 for £48, or §120. 1785 for £40, or §100. 

1789 to Jacob Fonda for £48, or §120. 

The Poor Pasture, * in its original condition, consistnl of 
Eij^hteen inorj;ens (about 30 acres) of the finest Mohawk flats, 
and was bounded by the river on the North, the Uiver road (a 
continuation of Front Street) on the South, the " Fonda IMace " 
on the West, an<l the '* Hansen kil " (now (.V»lle«je brook) on the 
East, by which it was separated from the Botf/it. This latter 
parcel of land, consistini^ of IGacres, was purchased of Il.uiiiaiius 
Van Slyck, in 180G. for $l,7oO. 

Several attempts were formerly made l>y the (Iiiiiih t«» dis- 
pose of this property but without success. 

In 179o the Consistory '* Resolved to sell the Artne H'«y for 
not less than £800, (§2,000), at which price no jturchaser wius 
found ; but in 1803 it was disposed of, indudini; the lioght, at 
auction for about §11.000, and the avails were mingled withthe 
general funds of the church. 

Thus passed away Kenkluys" gift " tc» ihc poor of Si-he- 
nectady." after having been in the possession of the Church 
nearly 190 years. Long ago the old soldier's name was forgot- 
ten, but the ri'sults of his bi-iu-faction are perpetuateil to this 
day; not inilee(l in tin- direction which he had imlicated, l>ut in 
that beautiful structure lati-ly ileclicated as a house of worship. 
Among the honored names there embla/one«l and curiously 
carved is there no room for that of JIanse Jar.se Eenkluya f 



* A memorandum made by Do. Van Santvoord makes mention of the can- 
vc\.inc«? of Thf Piiitiirt by Gov. Lovelace {Crondhrief :■<;« (/r wnJf hv Gov. 
l.MMl.ur) .1% nniong tlir iniiM)rtant paprr* of tl)e Church. This was prnluibly 
th«r (■.>)vcrnor\ patent to Menkluys, and must have l>een dated about 167a It 
/ s no longer among the chu'ch pa|>ers. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 175 

3. Church Mill and Mill Pasture. — This fine property, the be- 
quest of Sweer Teunise Van Yelsen, {alias Van Westbrook,) the 
town miller, consisted of six aci-es f>f land, bounded Northerly by 
State Street, Southerly by the Sand kil, (latterly called Mill 
Creek), Easterly by Dock Street, and Westerly by the lot of 
Douwe Aukes Defreeze, which latter lot, 140 feet front on State 
Street, (Amsterdam measure), was on the Westerly corner of 
mill lane and State Street, opposite the late Schenectady Bank 
building-. 

Defreeze was an inn keeper, and next East of his lot pi'obably 
stood Van Velsen's house, his grist mill being in the rear on the 
Creek. Both houses were burned in the massacre of 1690 by 
the French and Indians, at which time Sweer Tenuis with his 
wife Maritie My'nderse perished in the flames. As he left no 
heirs his property passed to the children of his wife by her first 
husband, Jan Barentse Wemp. It was understood, however, 
before his death,that he had made a will devising the half or 
third of his estate to the Church ; but no such instrument was 
ever found. Nevertheless his step-children, to carry out his 
wishes, released to the Church the Mill and six acres of land 
above described. 

The Church took possession of this property soon after Van 
Velsen's death, and within about thirty years disposed of the en- 
tire front upon State Street for building lots. 

That portion between Ferry and Dock streets was divided 
into ten parcels varying in width from 45 to 53 feet (Amst. 
meas.). The lowland in the rear called the Churdi parture was 

retained until 18 — , when it was sold to Archibald Craig and * 

* * « * 

The Church Mill stood upon, or near the site of the old brick 
mill now standing in Mill Lane. It was usually leased for 
about £50 New York Currency. After holding it for 120 years 
the Church sold it in 1800 to David Burt and John J. Peek for 
$2570. In 1813 it was turned into a Cotton Mill by Dr. Archi- 
bald Craig, who built the present brick building. 

4. The Sixth Flat. — On the 20th May 1714, Ryer Schermer- 
horn, the only surviving Patentee of Schenectady, conveyed to 
the Dutch Church, — '■ A lot of land on the North side of the 
Mohawk river about 7 miles above Schenectady, called the 
Sixth Flat, containing about seven morgens or fourteen acres; " 



176 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

— "Also 10 morgeus, or 20 acres of Wood land behind said 
Sixth flat and so going up to a creek called by the Indians 
Toggutchero, — in English named " Color Creek [ in Dutch 
Verfkil^, at the East end of the " Seventh flat," and so on North 
behind the said Plat into the woods as far as the bounds of the 
said town." 

From a petition presented to the Trustees of the town, on the 
16th January, 1716, by Jacobus Van Dyck, in behalf of the Con- 
sistory, it appears that these parcels of land had been purchased, 
but an account of pressing debts and urgent need they are asked 
to remit the purchase money. How long the Church retained 
this farm and how or when they disposed of it is not known. * 

5. On the 25th January, 1715, the trustees of Schenectady 
conveyed to the Dutch Church a piece of woodland, " in the 
East end of the town, bounded North by the highway, [river 
road to the Aqueduct ] — South by the common woods ; West 
by the wood land of heirs of Hendrick Brouwer, and East by 
the land of Claas and Tjerk Fransen [Van de Bogart]. This 
land lay opposite to and this side of the, lower, (late Freeman's) 
bridge on the river road and was still in possession of the Church 
in 1734. How or when it was disposed of is not known. 

6. Leases. — The Patentees and Trustees of Schenectady 
usually conveyed the common lands by perpetual leases, reserv- 
ing a small quit rent either in money or more commonly in 
wheat. 

On the 6th day of October, 1716, Ryer Schermerhorn, Jan 
Wemp, Johannes Teller, Arent Bradt and Barent Wemp, the 
Patentees of the town, assigned to the Church, all the leases 
which they then possessed, conditioned that the Consistory 
should pay the annual quitrent of 40 bushels of wheat due to the 
Province of New York. 

The number and value of these leases does not appear. 

Again on the 30th of December, 1747, Jan Wemp and Arent 
Bradt, then the only surrviving Patentees, assigned another 
batch of 29 leases " for the behoof of the Church Wardens " ; 
and on the 26th of May, 1750, Pieter Felinck, the village school- 
master, made out a list of all the leases then belonging to the 
Church, with the amounts due yearly on each. They were 

* See Church papers. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 177 

found to be 46 in number, on which the rents amounted to 95 
skipples of wheat,, £3-2-9 in money and 20 boards. * 

7. The Burial Lot. — As has been before stated the earliest 
burial place used by the founders of Schenectady was on the 
West side of the old Church at the junction of State &d Church 
streets. Some were buried under the Church, especially such as 
could afford to pay for this privilege. 

The first mention made of the present burying ground be- 
tween Front & Green streets is in the deed of this plat given by 
Patentees of the town to the Church, dated August 1st, 1721. f 

8. A lot of ground " to the Northeast of the town and lying 
at the Northwest corner of Cornells Slingerland's land upon the 
East side of Barent Vrooman's land, cfec. This parcel was proba- 
bly on the Kalleberq road. 

9. The Princetown Patent so called. — This property consisting 
of 3870 acres exclusive of roads and 500 acres heretofore granted 
to Arent Van Petten and Jan Dellamont, was first surveyed and 
laid out for James DeLaucey and John Chambers, who on the 
7th iSTovember, 1737, released their claim to Arent Bratt and 
Jan Wemp, patentees of Schenectady. 

Under date of the 16th of December, 1737, Bratt and Wemp 
received a patent for this tract, which was described as " begin- 
ning at the South west corner of the township of Schenectady 
and runs thence along the bounds of said township South 40° 
East 296 chains, and South 55° 30^ East 149 chains, and South 
74° 15' East 32 chains, then West 343 chains, then North 322 
chains to the place of beginning." 

On the 27th day of December the Elders and Deacons give a 
contract to said Bratt & Wemp, in which they promise to give 
a bond to pay them £500 for the above land and quitrent 
reserved on the same of 2-6 the 100 acres, within 14 days after 
they shall have received their new Church seal according to 
charter. X 

10. The Niskayuna Patent. — This tract lay to the East and 
South of the Schenectady patent and extended from the Ael 
Plaats South to the North line of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck 



* See Appendix E. 

t For a description of this parcel of ground see Chapter XIII. 

J Groote Schuld Boek. 

22 



178 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

In 1711 Capt. Pliilip Schuyler of Schenectady purchased these 
lands of the Indians, and in 1723 obtained a warrant for the 
survey of the same, but the justices of Schenectady objecting, he 
failed to obtain a Patent, because they were needed by thp in- 
habitants "for a common or drift for cattle and for firewood." 
Again in 1738 Wouter Vrooman purchased a portion of this 
tract for " thi ee blankets of stroudsandthreapairs of stockings," 
but failed of getting a conveyance from the Governor on ac- 
count of the opposition of the citizens. * 

On the oth of August, 1738, a patent was obtained for this 
land by Arent Bradt and Jacob Glen in trust for the Reformed 
Protestant Dutch Church of Schenectady ; it was then estimated 
to contain 2,500 acres, but owing to an eiTor in measurement 
rectified in 1788, fell considerably shoi't of that amount, f 

The West line of this church patent was the East line of the 
Schenectady patent, the starting point for which line at the Ael- 
Plaats had been fixed by the citizens at the mouth of Jan de 
Laggers HI. % The Consistory claimed tfe rightly too, that this 
point should be at the mouth of the Ael-plaats kil, thus claiming 
a strip of land from the East bounds of the town, of more than 
1200 acres. This controversy Avas finally determined in favor 
of the Church and Arent Bratt, only surviving Patentee of the 
town on February 5th, 1754, gave them a deed of Conveyance 
of the property. The whole number of acres conveyed to the 
Church by these conveyances Avas 3,621. 

11. It appears also from a memorandum on the cover of the 
old Church Ledger, of dates 1790 & 1801, that the Consistory 
owned lots Nos. 18 and 2G of 200 acres each in Vrooman's 
Patent North of Jerseyfield. 



* Land papers, XII. 99, 123. 

+ The cost of this patent was ^^130-8, as appears by the following entry in 
the Church Ledger : — 

f Foor de pate7tttuse onse Nistagioene en de patrons lyn all de coste £\yy-'&. 

X Jan De Lagger's kil is a small brook or rill emptying into the Mohawk 
river from the North side near the Aqueduct and many rods Easterly from the 
Ael-plaats kil ; by assuming this as the starting point of the South Easterly 
line of the town patent the area of the town lands was increased at the ex- 
pense of the Church, whose lands adjoined them on the South East. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 179 



CHAPTER XV. 



In early times the Dutch churches often acted as guardians of 
widows and orphans ; they provided for the poor and kindly 
looked after the aged and infirm, who had no natural protectors ; 
and it was not unusual for the latter to i)lace their property in 
the hands of the Consistory from whom they received from time 
to time such supi)ort as their wants required. The Consistory 
were the Almoners of the Church ; every Lords day a collection 
was taken of the free will offerings of the people for this and 
certain other 2)urposes, and this duty was not omitted even 
though there were no present objects upon whom their bounty 
might be bestowed. 

In the outset the little community of Schenectady seems to 
have had few or no poor people ; with the exception of a " shirt 
for a captive Frenchman " it does not appear from the accounts 
that the Deacons gave a stiver to any person during the years 
1687-9. As the funds accumulated they were loaned on bond 
at 6% interest to citizens. Thus in the audit of 1689 obligations 
to the amount of nearly 3,000 guilders were included in the 
assets of the Church. Moreover the Consistory traded with 
another portion of these funds, buying and selling brass kettles, 
nails, linen, thread, baize, coverlets, tfec. This seeming perver- 
sion of the funds given for a more sacred purpose was simply 
a temporary necessity of the times and ceased altogether when 
private enterprize provided for the wants of the people. 

Among the permanent sources of income, were de wey or 
*' Poor Pasture ", originally given by Hans Janse Eenklnys "for 
the i^oor of Schenectady " ; — the Church Mill and Mill pasture 
given by Sweer Teunise Van Velsen : — leases received from the 
Trustees of the town * ; — seat rents and burial fees. 

Besides the payment of the Domine's salary and the Voor- 
lezer & Klokluyer's Stipends, out of these funds the bread and 

* See Appendix E. 



180 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

wine and sacred utensils for the Lord's Supper were purchased ; 
the Church -was cleaned, and incidental repairs to the Parsonage 
were made, such as glass for windows, posts, nails, &c., for the 
fence. * 

A knowledge of the domestic habits and Church customs of a 
people is most difficult to be learned after a lapse of two cen- 
turies ; — even uncommon events were seldom recorded, how 
much less likely then that social manners and every day occur- 
rences should become matter of history. Particularly unfortu- 
nate has it been for Schenectady that the flames of 1690 spared 
almost nothing of her early records ; — with the exception of a 
few leaves of the Deacons' account book all is blank. 

As something however may be learned even fi"om such 
unpromising materials as these, both in respect to the customs 
and finances of the Church, the following extracts are subjoined: 

During the year 1686-7 the Church accounts were kept by 
Deacon Johannes Sanderse Glen and are quite legible. 
[Translation.] 
1686, 20th Oct. Jan Brouwer, Dr. 
to 14 ells of linnen @ 7 ells the beaver f ... 16 gl. 

Maria Klein, Dr. 
ditto to 6 ells of linnen @ 7 ells the beaver, . . 6-8 

to a coverlet @ 10 guild f. 10-0 

to 6 ells baize, 8- 

to 4 lbs. nails, 2. 

to 7 ells linen @ 7 ells the beav. . . . . 8. 

to 2 skeins thread, 0-5 



* 1735 By een predicatie Bock, /^i-^-o. 

1777 December, the Church paid " Vooreen gifte aan afgebrande menschen 
van dese plaats." 

13th September, 1794 Bey Cassa voor een groten Engelsen Beybel. 

5th September, 181 5, The Consistory resolve to refund to the deacons 
enough to buy 4 silver mugs and one metal flaggon. [The present Com- 
munion service W. E. G.]. 

—Church, acct. book. 

t The guilder, or florin, beaver was worth about 38 or 40 cts. — the guilder 
seewant, or wampum, was equal to one shilling N. Y. Currency or one-third 
of the former ; — the beaver skin being considered the specie of the Province. 
These accounts are kept in guilders & stivers, partly seewant and partly 
beaver. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 181 



15th Septem. Johannes Potman, Cr. 
11 days work on the church @ 7 guilders a day, • 25 

ditto Isaac de Trieux [Truax.] 

to 6 lbs. nails, 3- 

20th Nov. Adam Vrooman, Dr. 

to 9 lbs. nails, seawant, 14, 4. 

to 2 lbs. nails, beaver, . . • • • • 1- 

ditto Sander Glen, Dr. 

to 9 lbs. nails, 

1686, 30th Sept. Johannes Glenn, Dr. 
to 42 lbs. nails @ 20 lbs. pr. beaver, . . . • 17-^ 

to 34nbs. nails @ 20 lbs. pr. beaver, . . • 13-15 

to skiples of wheat, 

1689, 30th Oct. Cr. 

2 beavers in silver money 

one beaver, ..,•••• 

also by settlement, ^-^^ 

8th Oct. Domine Thesschenmaecker, Dr. 
to 14 ells of linneii @ 7 ells pr. beaver, . • • ^ 16- 

Walter Vrooman, Cr. 

for a place [seat] for his wife,* 36- 

ditto Barent Wemp, Dr. 
to 14 ells of linnen @ 7 ells pr. beaver, . • • 16- 

1689, Oct. Cr. 

2 beavers in silver, 

ditto Sweer Teunisse [Van Velsen], f Dr. 
to 14 ells linnen @ 7 ells perbeav. • ; ' • ^^~ 

to 7 ells linnen fetched by his maid Jannetie, . 8- 

Nov. 1. Cr. 

to silver f. 26.- beaver; 26. 

10th Oct. Daniel Janse Van Antwerpen, Dr. 
to 26 ells linnen @ 7 ells pr. beaver, . • • 29-15 

1688, 20th Aug. Cr. 

to 89-5 sewant, ^^"^^ 

1686, 10th Oct. Abraham Groot, Dr. 

to 14 ell, linnen @ 7 ells beav 16- 



* It would seem from this that a single seat in the church at this time cost 
36 gl., or $4.50. 

t The town miller, killed in the massacre of 1690. 



182 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

1688. Cr. 
two beavers by Barent Jaiise [Ditmars] on a reckon- 
ing of Domiiie Thesscheiimaecker, . . . 16- 
ditto. Andries Arentse [Bradt] Dr. 

to I7^ells linnen@7 ells pr. beav 20. 

ditto. Jan Van Rotterdam, Dr. 
to 12 guilders seawant in an action which he had with 

Hendrick Meese [Vrooman], . : . . 4- 

6th Mar. to 12 guilders seewant in the contest which 

he had with Hendrick Laminerse, ... 4- 

ditto. Hendrick Lanimerse, Dr. 
to 12 guilders seewant in the contest which he had 
witli Rotterdam, *...... 

10th Oct. The Commmissaries. f Di'- 

to 20 lbs. nails f. 8. 

Account of Sales. 

10 lbs. nails, 4- 

40 lbs. nails sewant, ...... 40- 

1^ ells linnen, 5-3 

8 skeins thread, 2-16 

3 lbs. nails for the Church, 4-10 

Out-go. 

6th Nov. for the little pall, t f. 108. 

for the sewing [same], 1-6 

5th Dec. for the wine for the Lord's Supper, . . 25- 
for freight of a tub of nails from the Fuyck. || 

4 lbs. nails, ........ 6- 

for glass for the Church, ..... 30- 

1687, 28th Mar. 
to Ryer Jacobse[Schermerhorn], , . . . 600- 
and 47 skiples of wheat @ 5 skiples pr. beaver, which 
he has received of Sweer Teunisse [Van Velsen]. 



* Did the Consistory act as a court of Justice imposing and collecting fines, 
or were the fines collected by the Magistrates handed over to the Deacons for 
the poor ? 

+ The magistrates of the Village. 

X The " little pall " owned by the Church was used at the funeral of chil- 
dren. 

II A name given to that part of Broadway, Albany from State St., to Steu- 
ben street. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 183 

also through Simon Groot 12^ skiples of wheat. 

also through Gysbert Gerritse [Van Brakel] 16 skiples 

of wheat. . 

also through Barent Wemp 1 1 skiples of wheat, all @ 
5 skiples per beaver. ..... 

4th Sept. also to wine for the Lord's Supper, . . 30- 

also for linnen 4 ells, 7-6 

also a shirt for a captive Frenchman, ... 8- 

also 2 skiples of wheat bo't, ..... 10- 

also for wine for the Lord's Supper, . . . . 15- 

also 27 guilders sewant to Potman as is to be seen by 

his settlement, ....... 27- 

A. D. 1687, 5th Dec. in Schenectady. 
The Consistory, minister, elders and deacons, — have 
received an account of the cash and all other 
things from John Sanderse [Glen] and delivered 
the same to Claes Lourentse Purmerent \_alias 
Van der Volgen] as follows: — he has in seawant 
[wampum] and silver money, . . . • g- 697-2 

and he is to receive in outstanding debts for linnen, 423 f. 

Purmarent has sold according to his book, . 249|^lb. luxils 

in his book yet unpaid, 1281b. " 

also Purmarent has in his house, . . . 149 lb. " 



total, . . . 528| " 
Petrus Thesschenmaecker. 
Meyndert Wemp. 

The accounts for 1688 were kept by deacon Class Lourentse 
Purmerent [Vander Volgen]. The sales being similar to those 
of the year preceding but few extracts will be made. 

1687, loth April. 
Simon Groot, Barent Wemp and Gysbert Geritse 
(van Brakel) are indebted for a year's hire of the 
plantation, * guilders, ..... 82. 



* The plantasie here mentioned for the first time in these accounts, Ijut 
afterwards called de -tuey and f/frtrw^" tciy/ was the i8 morgens of land be- 
queathed " for the poor of Scherectady " by Hanse Janse Eenkluys. This 
parcel of ground was known later as the Poor Pasture. 



184 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

1688, 15th April. 
Simon Groot, Barent Wemp and Gysbert Gerritse 
[van Brakel] are still in debt for a year's . hire of 
this plantation, .82. 



f. 164 
1689, 15th April. 
Simon Groot, Barent Wemp and Gysbert Gerritse 
[van Brakel] debt for a year's hire of the planta- 
tion, f. 82. 

1687, 28th March. Simon Groot, Cr. 
to 13^ skiples of wheat @ 4 skiples the beaver, . 20. 

Gysbert Gerritse (van Brakel, Cr. 
to 16 skiples of wheat @ 5 skiples pr. beaver, . 25-12 

Barent Wemp, Cr. 
to 11 skiples of wheat @ 5 skiples pr. beaver, . 17-12 

1688. Gysbert Gerritse (van Brakel), Cr. 
10 skiples of peas @ 5 skiples pr. beaver, . . 16. 

Dirk Bradt, Cr. 

15 skiples of wheat, 24. 

by Jan Roeloffse * (De Goyer), -6. 



109-4 
1688. The diaconate, Dr. 
66 lbs. nails on the fence and 39^ lbs. nails on the 
House, t ••••••• • 

1688. The diaconate, Cr. 

66 lbs. nails, 

sold 34 skeins of thread, at 6 stuivers pr. skein, . 

the skeins come to . . . . . . . f. 10-4 

Cr. 

For the selling of thread, 10-4 

[Audit for the year 1688.] 

A. D. 1688, Nov. 1st, in Schenectady. 
The Consistory of Schenectady — ministers, elders and dea- 
cons — have received from Claas Lourentse Purmerend [alias 



* Son of Anneke Janse by her first husband, Roeloff Janse. 
t Parsonage house and fence. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



185 



Vander Volgen] an account of the cash, and at this date have 
delivered over the same to Adam Vrooman in the following 
items : 

An obligation against Hendrick ] 
Meese [Vrooman] of the year 
1681, April 23. E f. 600. 

An obligation of Bennony 
Arentse [Van Hoeck] of the 
year 1686, August 2nd. *^ 336-1 

An obligation against William 
Abrahamse [Tietsoort] of the 
year 1697, November 28th. J f4 600. 
An obligation against Reyer Jacobse [Schermerhorn] 
of the the year 1687, 28th March, f. i008- except 
the interest. 
Sundry sums from the pasture land of the year 1688, 

April 15th, 164-8 

From Gerrit Bancker for the pasture land, . . 44- 

Freewill oiferings of Barent Ditraars, . . . 24- 

f lb. thread, 



Sum. . . . f. 3369-1 6- 

The which we witness — 

Petrus Thesschenmaecker, preacher. 
Sweer Teunise Van Velsen, 
Reynier Schaets, 
Meyndert Wemp, 
Claes Lourentse [Vander Volgen], 
Adam Vrooman. 
This is I C (X" the mark of Isaac Swits. 
Deacon Adam Vrooman was treasurer of the Diaconate for 
the year 1689. The following are some of the expenditures. 

1689, 6th January. 
Paid to Elisabeth Von Trich [Tricht * ] for Hans 



Janse [Eenkulys], 



57-12 



February, 
to myndert Wemp paid 7 skiples of w^heat, . . 28. 



March. 



paid for wine for the Lord's supper, 



17. 



« daughter of William Teller and wife of Abraham Van Tricht of Albany. 
^ 24 



186 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



144 



paid to the guardians of Peter Kruyns, . 

1689, 30th May. 
also to Ludovicus Cobes lent upon interest, . 

23rd July, 
also paid for 4 days work in the pasture of Hans 
Janse [Eenkluys], ...... 

30th October, 
also paid for wine for the Lord's supper, . 

3rd September, 
also to Tennis Karstense lent upon interest, 
[Audit for 1689.] 
A. D. 1689, Nov. 26th, in Schenectady. 
The consistory — Ministers, Elders and Deacons — have re- 
ceived from Adam Vrooman an account of the cash, debts, obli- 
gations and [dues] for the [Poor] Pasture, and delivered the 
same to Isaac Swits at this date in the following items : — 

In cash seawant, gl. 245-14 

The Poor Pasture is indebted, . . . 212-11 



132 



17-(0 



120. 



458-5 



Hendrick Meese [Vrooman], 
Bennoni Arentse [Van Hoeck], 
Ryer Jacobse Schermerhooren, 
Willem Abrahamse [Tiotsoort], 
Ludovicus Cobes, . 
Teunis Carstense, 
Carel Hansen [Tol], . 



JohnBrouwer, . 

Maria Cobes, 

Isaac De Triex [Truax], 

Alexander Glen, 

John Glen, 

Jacob Van Laer, 

Philip Philipse [DeMore], 

Jan Joncker [Van Rotterdam], 

Hendrick Lamraerse, 



Obligations Debit. 

f. 451-5 

396-1 

. 1128. 

612. 

. f. 132. 

f. 120 

. f. 120 




HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



187 



Andries Bradt, 

Will em Abrah anise [Tietsoort], 

Douwe Aukes [De Freeze], . 

Jan Mebie, 

Joris Aersse [Van der Baast], 

Jesaias Swart, . 

Bennoni Aersse [Van Hoeck], 

Gerrit Bancker, 

Barent [Janse] Van Ditmars, 



f.24 
f.30 

31-1 
f. 13-10 

12. 
f.l2 

33-10 
44-8 
24 



527 



f. 3944-11 
Petrus Thesschenmaecker, preacher. 
Myndert Wemp, ^ 
Frans Harmense, K- Elders. 
[VanDerBogart]. j 
Adam Vrooraan, "| 

This is the \ C (J) mark of Isaac Swits, I These four 
Willera Appel, [ Deacons. 

This is the B W mark of Barent Wemp. J 
For many years after 1689 the treasurer's accounts no longer 
exist, only yearly audits of the Consistory are shown below. 



Years. 


Receipts. 


Expenditures. 


Balance at close. 


1691 






97 gl. 16stiv. 


1692 


368-12 


110-5 


258-7 


1693 


779-7 


240- 


539-7 


1694 






462-1 


1695 


1480-5 


998-12 


481-13 


1696 


1719-10 


1617-5 


102-5 


1697 


972-10 


857- 


115-10 


1698 


1915- 


1757-19 


157-) 


1699 


1967-6 


1988- 





The credit for the years 1705 to 1713, inclusive, made in one 
statement by Doraine Van Driessen, of Albany, showed receipts 
of more than 13,000 guilders. 



188 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Years. 


1 Receipts. 


1 Disbursements. 


1736 


*i:241-12-02 


£267-19-09 


1738 


282-03-00 


314-17-10 


1739 


45-04-11 


45-12-00 


1740 


58-15-00 


58-04-00 


1741 


54-04-07 


61-11-02 


1743 


145-n-ll 


135-02-05 


1744 


111-00-00 


120-16-00 


1745 


121-19-04 


123-04-03 


1746 


13I_09-10 


1 1 7-04-09 


1747 


157_00-10 


164-17-00 


1748 


209-10-06 


212-19-00 


1749 


183-13-08 


1 79-04-08 


1750 


137-07-03 


137-18-03 


1751 


150-07-01 


141-14-06 


1752 


192-14-08 


62-02-03 


1753 


340-05-04 


276-05-03 


1754 


175_ 15-09 


229-11-10 


1755 


177-02-06 


229-01-08 


1756 


225-16-03 


151-16-06 


1757 


212-13-00 


157_11_05 


1758 


206-17-00 


200-08-00 


1759 


254-00-00 


158-18-00 


1760 


198-^0-04 


174-07-03 


1761 


149-05-02 


224- 1-07 


1762 


225-00-00 


204-11-10 


1763 


200-14-00 


276-07-09 


1764 


227-07-05 


152 06-04 


1765 


243-00-06 


203-03-08 


1766 


164-01-00 


135-04-03 


1767 


114-09-03 


123-09-00 


1768 


128-16-01 


141-09-00 


1769 


225-14-02 


205-09-09 


1770 


266-11-01 


327-05-01 


1771 


193-11-00 


209-04-00 


1772 


193-17-10 


189-03-00 


1773 


291-00-06 


256-01-05 


1774 


251-10-09 


267-14-01 


1775 


199-10-06 


195-18-00 


1776 


251-06-05 


205-16-10 


1777 


274-17-05 


266-14-08 


1778 


518-04-01 


441_16-02 


1779 


tl301-08-03 


686-11-06 


1780 


tl321-16-04 


819-03-00 



* The pound 
+ Depreciated 



New 
Conti 



York currency was $2.50. 
nental currency. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



189 



Years. 1 


Receipts. | 


Disbursements. 


1781 


£160 06-00 


£122-15 00 


1782 


218-17-00 


197-10-00 


1783 


171-04-00 


148-06-09 


1784 


275-11-JO 


374 18-06 


1785 


321-03-05 


323-06-00 


1786 


364-12-10 


361-06-08 


1787 


313-18-00 


291-05-05 


1788 


217-02 06 


241-03 04 


1789 


408-10-10 


389-00-00 


1790 


585-05-01 


569-07-01 


1791 


35310-05 


353-05-00 


1792 


48803-11 


485-11-06 


1793 


300-03-07 


286-08-11 


1794 


316-16-08 


304-04-00 


1795 


684-09 10 


684-09-10 


1796 


524-09-03 


475 16-02 


1797 


531-06-01 


378-16-10 


1798 


393-17-06 


391-13-00 


1799 


545-16-10 


336-09-06 


1800 


616-19 00 


654-13-03 


1801 


537-15-04 


485-15-04 


1802 


2,137-15-06 


2,117-05-00 


1803 


1,247-10-00 


1,250-08-03 


1804 


560-18-00 


575-15-01 


1805 


$2,057.62 


$1,716.90 


1806 


3,354.22 


3,257.27 


1807 


1,346.46 


990.62 


1 808 toAii^ 


1.106.89 


744.45 


1808 toDec- 


2,663.19 


2,629.00 


1809 


1,592.27 


1,353.80 


1810 


5,414,10 


5,356.00 


1811 


1,936.09 


2.073.10 


1812 


5.065.19 


4,826.41 


1813 


8,470.09 


9,506.50 


1814 


; 8.234.70 


7,256.92 



The foregoing table is not strictly an exhibit of the yearly in- 
come and expenditures only, but includes receipts and disburse- 
ments of all kinds and for all purposes. Thus during the years 
of 1812 to 1814 large sums were received from subscriptions 
and expended uponlhe new Church then building. 



190 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

A few special reports on the Income and Assets of the Church 
made from time to time to the Consistory are here subjoined : — 
August 27th, 1 793. " Yearly income of the Church. 

"Ground rents, £290-13-6f 

Church pasture, 34- 

" Mill, ....'... 47- 

Interest on £662 6-4, 46-7-2f 

Seat rent, 100- 



£518-0-91 
" Expenditures. 
Ministers' salary and wood, . . . £220 

Voorzanger, ...... 20 

Collecting, 6. 

Bell ringer and wood, .... 13. 

259. 

Additional rents out of lands, .... 100. 

do do do .... . 10. 



" Unsettled rents & debts, . 

do Pew rents,. . . . 
Money lent, 

Debts due for lot of Potman," * 

£533-18-9 
" State of Income and improvement of fund. 
1795. Present income. 
Rent for land in patent £250. will be at 1 800 about £300. 



£369 


£657-12 


40- 


36-69 


— 733-18-9 


£200- 



Old cash rents, 




10. 


" " " 


a 


" 


10. 




Wheat rents, 176 skip : 


@9s 


79- 


-4 fluctuating, say 5i 


^-16 to 


79- 


4 


Mill at pi'esent, 




47. 


will increase say 


to . 


94. 




Pasture, 


. 


34. 


fluctuating, 


say 




34. 




An. int. on obligations 


near 


42. 


a 


" 




42. 




Seat money in church. 




100. 


a 


"in 


1800 i 


100. 




In 1795, 


£562- 


-4 


:659- 


■4 



* This debt was incurred in the purchase of the Lot on the Northerly 
corner of Union & Ferry Streets for the Academy erected thereon by the 
Church. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 191 

Present Expenses. 

Minister's salary, . £200. 

Clerk, . . . . ... . . • 20. 

Sexton and stove, . . ... . • . 12. 

Wood, 30. 



£262. 
Present remains, ....... 300- 

Add to this subscriptions aboiit, .... 30. 



£330-4 
"Improvement of fund may take place, by sale of the [Poor] 
Pasture : it yields no more than, .... £34. 

sold for £900 will yeild more free from expense, , 29. 

ditto Mill, etc., at present £47: — sold for £1.700, — in- 
terest free and more, ..... 72. 

A. S. Vedder's Lot and house * with East part of old 

[lot] more say, ...... 49. 

Parsonage lot, f say more, ..... 48. 

Lands to be leased, rent of which will at least be . 80. 



In 1800 the fund may be £937-4 

Deduct present expense ..... 262. 

and remains ........ £675-4 

" This exclusive of subscriptions and what obligations are 

with the deacons. 

" Seat money may be considerably increased by making the 

repairs, which have been heretofore contemplated and resolved 

upon but not yet executed. 

" In every case the enlarging and increase of funds depend 

upon our improvement of time. From the present opinion of 

men and value set on property, it is probable that we might get 

one fourth more at present than we might be able to obtain five 

years hence if not 18 months hence." J 



* The lot owned and occupied by the late G. Q. Carley. 
t The lot on which the Church now stands. 

t This encouraging report seems to have been made in view of the pro- 
posed improvement of the old house of Worship. 



192 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

IGth March, 1 802. " Rej^ort on the annual income of the Church. 

Quitrents, £319-10-6 

Church [Poor] Pasture, .... 58. 

Church Grist-Mill, 50, 

Average amount of annual Seat money, . 35. 
Annual interest on bonds & notes, principal being 

£1287, @ 7 % . , . . . . 90. 



£552-10-6 
Mar. 5th, 1805. "Estimate of Income of the Dutch Church. 
Annual quitrents, cash, ..... £315-5-8 
do wheat, 171^ skiples @ 6s. . . . 51-7-6 



£366-13-2 



Arrears of quitrents, cash, . . £277-13 10 
do wheat, 500 Skiples, . . 150.-0 



£427-13-10 
Income from Poor pasture, seat money and Grist- 
mill, 195. 



total income, . . £561-13-2 
Obligations. 

Principal, £3.086 00-11 

Interest due March 1st, . . . 409-141 " 
25th April, 1815. Income. 

"Cash, $1,001.77^ 

Wheat, 145,53 

Obligations, $9966, 50: An: interest . . 696,88^ 

Rent of [Poor] Pasture, . ... . 242. 



$2,084.19 
16th Mar. 1818. "Finances of the Church, Jan. 1st. 1818. 
Obligations due. Principal, .... $8,583. 08|^ 

" arrears due, 1,041.42 

Quitrents, arrears due, 1,484, 12|^ 

do wheat ai-rears, 738.69 

$11,846.32 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 193 



"Yearly Income. 

Interest on obligations, $600.81 

Quitrents in Cash, 809.20 

do wheat, @ 12s. the skiple . . . 294.91 

Pew rents 299.50 

Pasture rent, 257.74 



12,262.17 

On the 3d March, 1 823. The annual income from all sources 
is stated to be $2, 11 8.81.— 

In 1 790 and for some years later there was great scarcity of 
small change: to meet this inconvenience many individuals, 
corporations and even Churches issued " shin plasters " for one 
penny and upwiards. 

On the 6th of September, 1 790 the deacons announced to the 
Consistory that in consequence of the scarcity of copper money 
the weekly collections in the Church had fallen off nearly one 
half, and therefore inquired whether there was noway of remedy- 
ing this loss. 

The i-everend Consistory having considered the matter came 
to the unanimous conclusion, — 

1. that the reverend Consistory should immediately have 
printed £100 in one, two, three and six penny notes; 

2. that Domine Romeyn or some other member of the Con- 
sistory should sign the same in the name of the Consistory ; 

3. that these notes shall be issued from time to time by the 
deacons ; 

4. that the deacons shall keep an account of all the notes 
issued and hold the money received in exchange to redeem them 
on demand ; 

5. the deacons shall render an account hereof as often as 
required by the Consistory. 



t= ^- [id.] (One Penny.) [id.] 



Hid. I 2) Schenectady (^ % AV^ 
Church MoNfcY. ' 




194 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Church Statistics. 

Baptisms. — The baptismal Register {Doep book) of this 
Chin-ch from 1694 to this time is entire Avith the exception of 
ten years during Domine Vrooman's ministry : and as all chil- 
dren were baptised both colored and Indian as well white, — 
legitimate and illegitimate — it is the only authoritative source, 
if rightly interpreted, whence the descendants of most of the 
old Dutch families can derive their pedigrees, In early times 
baptism was always performed in the Church, unless unavoida- 
bly prevented, and within a few days after birth ; sometimes on 
the birthday. And it was the duty of the Domine to register 
each child so baptised with parents' and sponsors {qetuygen) 
names. 

The number of registered baptisms from 1694 to 1852 is 
l',396. 

Marriages. — Preliminary to [the marriage contract the banns 
•were proclaimed three successive Sabbaths in the Church, or a 
licence might be granted by the Governor of the Province, after 
which the rite was solemnised {bevestight) by the Domine, or 
occasionally by a justice of the peace. 

The marriage Register or Trouwboeck of this church contains 
the names of 2573 couples married between the years 1 694 and 
1852. 

Church members. — The number of members received during 
the ministry of each pastor was as follows : — 

1694—1700 23 

Do. Freeman 1700—1705 85 

1705—1715 1 

Do. Hrouwer, 1715—1728 108 

Do. Erichzon, 1728—1736 204 

1736—1740 31 

Do. Van Zantvoord 1740—1752 152 

1752—1754 57 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



19i 



Do. Vrooman,* 1754—1784 487 

Do. Romeyn, t 1784—1804 248 

Do. Meier, 1804—1 806 10 

■ 1806— 1S08 18 

Do. Bogardus,:}: 1808—1812 157 

1812—1815 12 

Do. Van Yechten, 1815—1849 910 



Total 








2,503 


A report made to the Classis 


of 


Albany, 


July 


14th, 1817 


shows the following statistics. || 










Number of families 






. 


426. 


Total in the Congregation 








2518. 


In communion by report last yeai 






. 


342. 


Received on Confession . 








53. 


do by certificate 








5. 


Dismissed .... 








6. 


Died 




. 




12. 


Total in communion 








382. 


Adult baptisms . 




- 




7. 


Infant baptisms 








46. 


For a list of the Deacons & Elders see 


appendix F. 







* From 1772 to 1782 no members are registered, 
t There were 414 members living in 1785. 

t In 1809 Domine Bogardus reported only 270 members of the Church ; 
in 181 1 the number was increased to 413. 
II Consistory minutes. 




APPENDIX A. 



XIII 



I 1 



50 



49 



48 47 



46 



45 



3. 


38 


39 


40 


41 


42 


43 


44 


36 


35 


34 


33 


32 


^' 


30 


-1 



20 


21 


22 


23 


24 


25 


26 


27 


28 


19 


18 


17 


16 


15 


14 


13 


12 


II 



9 10 



Plan of Church of 1734. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 199 



REGISTER VAN DE PLAATSEN IN DE KERKE. * 

Mons Plaatsen. 

BANK NO. 1 1 

Begint achter het gestoelte der Ouderlingen tegen de West 
Muuren gaat tot aan 't gestoelte der Magistrate!!, behelse!ide 12 
sit-plaatsei!. 

1. Johannes Schuyler, 1734 ; Adam Van Slyck, 1788. 2. 
Philip Livingston. 1734 ; Robert Livingston, 1754 ; Johannes 
Glen Jr., 1788. 3. Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, 1734; Steven 
Van Rensselaer, 1754 ; Stephanus Van Rensselaer, 1788; John 
Sa!!ders Ten Eyek, 1791. 4. Edward Collins, 1734 ; Harma!ius 
Bradt, 1754-88. 5. Jan Wemp, 1734; Jan jBaptist Van Eps, 
1754 ; Jan Baptist Van Eps, 1806. 6. Arent Bratt, 1734 ; 
Are!!t C. Van Petten, 1754 ; Nicolaas A. VanPetten, 1788. 7. 
Isaac Isaacse Truax ; Isaac Isaacse Truax, 1754; De kerke, 
1798 ; Abraham Oothout, 1798. 8. Johannes H. Wendell ; 
Evert We!!dell, 1754; Harmaniis H. Wendell, 1788; Hendrick 
Glen. 9. Harmen Harm: Vedder ; John Cuyler Ji-. 10. 
Peti-us Van Driessen ; Johannes Van Driessen. 11. Harmanus 
Adamse Van Slyck, 1754. 12. Jacobus Bratt, 1754. 



* This list is made up of those Registers combined, of dates 1734, 1754 & 
1788 and include all tV.e names contained therein. The slips or Bancken were 
numbered nearly alike in 1734 and 1754 but the numbers were quite different 
in 1788. As before stated each sitting in the Church was held by its occupant 
for life unless forfeited by non-payment of the seat rent, or by removing 
from the town ; and descended to his or her nearest male or female heir. 
Hence the same sitting was in some cases retained in the family for 3 or 4 
generations. It will be noticed also that the males occupied the wall benches 
igestodte) chiefly, which were slightly raised above the others ; whilst the 
females sat upon the benches ( hancken ) in the body of the house. The slips 
for the two sexes were numbered from one upwards, —those of the males 
from I to XIII :— those of the females from i to 62. The Deacons and 
Elders sat in the four benches on each side of the pulpit or doophidsje, and 
the magistrates and other men of note upon the long bench on the West side 
of the Church extending from the pulpit around to the South door. The date 
following each name shows the year when this name first appears on the list, 
and the wwrnhtx prefixed to the name indicates the seat on the bench occupied 
by that person. 

t Bench No. i (See plan) was occupied by men of note. 



200 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Begint aan de West zyde Van de zuyder Duer tegens de 
zuydt muur en gaat tot aan Bank No. I : dese is gelatin ten be- 
hoeven van de Magistraten, &c. — 12 zit-plaatsen. 

1. Gerrit Symonse [Veeder], 1733-4; Johannes Helmerse 
Veeder, 1754-88. 2. Symon Swits, 1734 ; Isaack Swits, 1754; 
Nicolaas Hall, 1785. 3. ReyerSchermerhorn, 1734-88 ; Bartho. 
R. Schermerhorn, 1794. 4. Jan Barentse Wemp, 1734 ; Abra- 
ham J. B. Wemple, 1788 ; John A. Wemple, 1803. 5. Nicolaas 
Schuyler, 1734; Cornells Van Slyck, 1754-88. 6. Jan Vroo 
man, 1734 ; Tobias Ten Eyck, 1754 ; Tobias Jacobus Ten Eyck, 
7. Harmanus Jacobus Van Slyck, 1754-88. 



1. John Visger, 1734; John Visger, 1754-88; John Visger, 
1794. 2. Joh: Harraense Vedder, 1734-88; Nicolaas Adr: 
Van Petten, 1791. 3. Nicolaas Van Petten, 1734-54 ; Michael 
Tyms. 1788. 4. Jacobus Van Eps. 1 734-88 ; John Post, 1789; 
Corn : Zeger Van Santvoord, 1794. 



1. HarmenVan Slyck, 1734; Antony Van Slyck, 1754-88. 
2. Johannes H. Wendell, 1734; Seth Vrooman, 1754; Adam 
.S. Vrooman, 1788, 3. Johannes Van Slyck, 1734; Carel 
Hansen Toll, i754; Johannes S. Toll, 1788. 4. Caleb Beck, 
1734-54; Caleb Beck, 1788. 5. Peter Cornu, 1734; Daniel 
Cornu, 1754; Johannes Van Petten, 1788. 6. Jacobus Vedder, 
1754; Jacobus Peek, 1788; Jacobus Jacobuse Peek, 1790. 7. 
Jacobus Mynderse, 1754; Dirk Van Ingen, 1791. 8. Peter 
Van Guysling, 1788. 



* The Magistrates bench, was occupied also by 6 other respectable citizens. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 201 



1. Douwe Fonda, 1734; Jacob Fonda, 1754. 2. Arent 
Stevens, 1734; Willem Stevens, 1754-88. 3 Peter Van Slyck, 
1734; Maas Van Vranken, 1754; Nicolaas Van Vranken, 1788. 
4. Hendricus Hehnerse Veeder, 1754; Hendericus Simonse 
Van Antwerp, 1803. 5. Isaack Quackenbos, 1754; John 
Quackenbos, 1780. 6. Abraham Fonda, 1754-88. 7. Adam 
Vrooman, 1754; Jacob A. Vroonian, 1788. 8. Marten Van 
Slvck, 1754-88. 



1. Symon Vrooman, 1734; Joh : Symonse Vrooman, 1754^ 
Symon Jacobse Vrooman, 1788. 2. Abraham Mebie, 1734; 
Albert Mebie, 1754 ; Albert S. Mebie, 1788. 3. Johannes W. 
Teller, 1734; Johannes Teller, 1754; John Teller, 1785. 4. 
Cornelis Van Dyck. 1734; Johannes Van Dyck, 1754; Hen- 
drick Van Dyck, Jr., 1788. 5. Abraham Glen, 1 734 ; John S. 
Glen, 1754-88. 6. Jacob Schermerhorn. 1734 ; Johannes Scher- 
merhorn, 1754-88. 7. Myndert Wemp, 1734; Myndert Myn- 
dertse Wemp, 1754 ; Jacobus Wemple, 1791. 8. William 
Teller, 1734 ; Jacobus Teller, 1754 ; Wm. Jacobuse Teller, 1785 ; 
9. Andries Bratt, 1734; Johannes Andriese Bratt, 1754; An 
dries Johannes Bratt; 1788. 



1. Jacob Glen, 1734; Jacob Glen Sanders, 1754; John 

Sanders Jr., 1788. 2. Nicolaas Schuyler, 1734 ; John Sanders, 

1754; Arent Sanders, 1788. 3. Nicolaas Gioot, 1754 ; Nico 

laas D. Groot, 1788. 4. Sara Glen,l754; Elisabeth Sanders, 

1788; Elsje Ten Eyck. 5. Maria Sanders, 1754; Margarita 

Sanders, 17S8. 6. Sara Sanders, 1754 ; Sara J. Glen, 1780. 

7. Debora Sanders, 1754; Maria Beeckman, 1788; Maghtelt 

D. Fonda, 1798. 

26 



202 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



BANK VIII. 

1. Jan Weinp, 1734; John Ryerse Wemple, 1754-88. 2. 
Hendrick Van Rensselaer, 1734; Seger Van Santvoord 
1754-88. 3. Arent Andriese Bratt, 1734; Abraham Bratt, 
1754. 4. Antony Bleecker, 1754; Johannes J. Cuyler; Cornelius 
Cuyler Jr., 1788; Philip Ryley. 5. Barent Sanders, 1734; John 
Sanders Jr., 1788 ; Abraham Glen Jr., ; Jacob Sanders Glen. 
6. Johannes Bratt, 1734; Reyer Wemple, 1788. 7. Gerrit 
Lansnig, 1734-S8 ; Gerrit G. Lansing, 1792. 8. Bartholomew 
Vrooraan, 1734 ; Johannes B. Vrooman, 1788. 9. Johannes 
Symonse [Veeder], 1734; Myndert Veeder, 1754; Johannes 
M. Veeder, 1788. 10. Symon Volkertse [Veeder], 1734; 
Barent Veeder, 1754. 11. Joh: Abrahamse Vedder, 1734; 
Albert Johanese Vedder ; Jacob Swits ; Isaac J. Swits, 1788; 
Jacob Abrahamse Swits, 1791. 12. Pieter Veeder, 1734-88. 
Nicolaas Veeder, 1796. 13. Gerrit Symonse [Veeder], 1734-88' 
14. Joseph Yates Jr., 1754 ; Cristoffel Yates, 1788 ; Joseph C^ 
Yates, 1790. 15. Hendrick Vrooman, 1734; Cornells H. 
Vrooman, 1754; Dekerk, 1802; Arent Vrooman, 1806. 16 
Albert J. Vedder, 1754-88. 17. Abraham Robertse Yates, 
1754-88; Abraham Joseph Yates, 1794. 18. Abraham Van 
Eps. 1754; Abraham Van Eps, Jr., 1785 ; Dekerk, 1792. 



BANK IX. 

1. Daniel De Graaf, 1754-88 ; Daniel Jesse De Graaf, 1791. 
2. Jellis Truex, 1734 ; Abraham Truex, 1754 ; Arent S. Vedder, 
1788. 3. Andries Truex, 1734-88. 4. Claas Van der Volgen, 
1734-54 ; Frans Veeder, 1788. 5. Isaack Jacobse Swits, 1734 ; 
Hendrick Swits, 1754-88. 6. Johannes Schoonmaker, 1 734-88. 
7. Isaack Vrooman, 1734-54; Adam S. Vrooman, 1788, 



BANK X. 

1. Hendrick Vrooman, 1734; Barent Vrooman, 1754; 
Samuel Van Slyck, 1788; Adam J. Van Slyck, 1794. 2. Jesse 
DeGraaf, 1734 ; Nicolaas DeGraaf, 1754-88. 3. JanMarselis, 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 203 



1734 ; Takel Marselis, 1754; Ahasiierus Marselis, 1788; Hen- 
drick Marselis, 1790. 4. Arent Samuelse Bratt, 1734 ; Samuel 
Areiitse Bratt, 1754 ; Arent Bratt,1803. 5. Jacob Mebie, 1734; 
Johannes Mebie, 1754; Pieter J.Mebie ; Cornells Mebie, 1788. 
6. Antony Van Slyck, 1734; Cornells Antony Van Slyck, 
i 754-88 ; Adriaan C. Van Slyck, 1790. 7. Reynier Mynderse, 
1754-88. 



1 . Andries Nack, 1 734 ; Arent Johannese Bratt ; Nicolaas Arn : 
DeGraaf, 1754 ; Abraham Arn : DeGraaf, 1788. 2. Abraham 
DeGraaf, 1734; Abraham DeGraaf, 1754; Abraham DeGraaf, 
1788. 3. Robert Yates, 1734; Jos: Robertse Yates, 1754-b8; 
Abraham N. Yates, 1S04. 4. Pieter Mebie, 1734; Johannes 
Mebie, 1754-88. 5. Joseph Van Sice, 1734; Johannes Van 
Sice, 1754; Cornells Vander Volgen ; Lourens Corn: Vander 
Volgen, 1788. 6. Jacob Vrooman, 1734-54; Johannes Clute, 
1788. 7. Abraham Truex, 1734; Abraham I. Truex, 1754-88. 



1. Marten VanBenthuysen, 1734; Pieter Truex, 1754-88. 2. 
Jillis Fonda, 1734; Pieter Fonda, 1754; Jillis Pieterse Fonda, 
1788. 3. Jan Danielse Van Antwerp, 1734; Arent Van Ant- 
werp, 1754; Johannes Van Antwerp, 1754; Barent Tobias Ten 
Eyck, 1788. 4. Corset Vedder, 1734; Harmanus Vedder Jr., 
1.754; Takerus VandeBogart, US^; op de kerke, 1802. 5. An- 
dries Van Petten, 1734; Nicolaas Van Petten, 1754; Andries 
Van Patten, 1788. 6. Hendrick Ten Eyck, 1734; Hendrick 
Tobias Ten Eyck, 1754; Myndert S. Ten Eyck, 1788. 7. 
Cornells Veeder, 1734; Gerrit Daniel Gerrit Van Antwerp, 
1754; Gerrit Connor, 1788. 8. Myndert Myndertse, 1734-54 • 
Johannes Myndertse, 1788. 



204 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



BANK XIII. 

1. Jan Dellamont, 1734 ; Abraham Dellamont, 1754-88. 2. 
Heuricus Wemple, 1734; John Empie, 1754-88. 3. Willem 
Schermerhorn, 1734 54-88. 4. Henricus Volkertse Yeeder? 
1734; Hendrick Dellamont, 1754 88. 5. Philip Truex, 1734 5 
Abraham Philipse Truax, 1754-88. 6. Johannes Peek, 1754-88. 
7. Carel Hansen Toll, 1754-88. 

Register van de Vrouwen sit-plaatsen beginnende voor de 
justices. 



[Women's seats.] 



BANK NO. 1. 



1. Maria Vedder, 1734; Margarita Mebie, 1754; Anna H. 
VanDyck, 1788. 2. Elisabeth Van Dyck, 1734; Maria Har- 
mense Bratt, 1754-88. 3. Debora Wemp, 1734; Maria 
Wempel, 1754-88. 4. Catharina Mebie, 1734 ; AnnatieR. [A"?] 
Mebie, 1754-88. 5. Helena Van Eps, 1734; Helena Pieters, 
1754; AnnatiePieters, 1788. 6. Anna Wendell, 1734 ; Anna 
Van Antwerp, 1754-88. 7. Anna Mebie, 1734; Engeltie 
Mebie, 1754-88; Jacomyntie Van Dyck, 1793. 8. Catharina 
J. Empie, 1754-88. 



BANK 2. 

1. Engeltie Veeder [Vedder ?], 1 748 ; Catrina Van Antwerp. 
1754; Engeltie J. Van Antwerp, 1788. 2. Ariaantie Van 
Antwerp, 1748; Jannetie Peek, 1754; Catharina C. Cnyler, 
1788. 3. Helena Bancker, 1748; Elisabeth Bancker, 1754-88. 
4. Elisabeth Bancker, 1748 ; Margarita^, Van Eps, 1788 ; Elisa- 
beth H. Peek, 1793. 5. Susanna Vedder, 1754; Catalyntje 
Van Vleck, 1 788. 6. Catalyntje Vedder, 1754 ; Maria Vedder; 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 205 



Annatie Vedder, huysvrouw Van J. B. Van Eps Jr., 1788. 1. 
Jannetie Veeder, 1734; Susanna Veeder ; Angenetie Vedder; 
JannetieJ. B. Van Eps, 1788. 8. Sarah P. Truex, 1754-88. 
9. Maria Connor, 1754-8S. 10. Maria Empie, 1754 ; Z)e /tcr/te; 
Elisabeth Bancker Peek, 1793. 



BANK 8. 

1. Anna H. Vedder, 1734; Susanna Van Petten ; Anna J. 
Cuyler, 1788. 2. Jauneke Nack, 1734; Sara Vander Volgen, 
1754-88; MargaretaWaldron, 1803. 3. Hester Groot, 1734; 
Hester DeGraff, 1754; Elisabeth Reyly, 1788. 4. Caatie 
Bratt, 1734; Catalina Clement, 1754-88 ; Margarita Samlse 
Clement, 1794. 5. Ingeltie Vrooman, 1734 ; Elisabet Swits, 
1754; Maria Swits, 1788; Susanna Swits, 1793. 6. Dorata 
Vrooman, 1734; Raghel Wemple, 1754-88 ; Susanna Jellise 
Fonda, 1791. 7. Steyntje Vrooman, 1734; Maria Cornelise 
Veeder, 1754-88 ; Maria N. Bratt, 1809. 8. Jannetie Myn- 
derse, 1754-88. 9. Catharina Jacobse Bratt, 1754-88. 10. 
Elisabeth Harraense Bratt, 1754-88. 



BANK 4. 

1. Christina Truex, 1734; Catalyntje De Graaf, 1754-88. 
2. Anna Wendell, 1734 ; Catarina H. Wendell, 1754 ; Catrina 
H. Glen, 1788. 3. Ariaantje Vedder 1734; Neeltje Vander 
Bogart, 1754-88; Nelly Schermerhorn Clinch, 1804. 4. Anna 
Veeder, 1734 ; Maria Van Syse, 1754 ; Cristiua DeGraaf, 1788; 
Margarita L. Mynderse, 1791. 5. Maria Bratt, 1734; Engeltie 
Van Petten, 1754-88. 6. Sara Van Slyck, 1734 ; Kaatje White, 
1754-88; Eva Jacobse Bratt, 1790. 7. Elisabet Cornu, 1734; 
Helena Van Slyck, weduw, 1754-88. 

BANK 5. 

1. Antje Bleecker, 1734; Maria Pieterse Brouwers 1754; 
Helena P. Brouwer, 1788; Helena J. Brouwer, 1792. 2. 
Gerritje Wyngaard, 1734; Maike Tymense, 1754-88. 3. 



206 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Cathalyntje Triiex, 1*134 ; Helena Jan Baptist Van Eps, 1754-88; 
Maria Van Petten, 1791. 4. Maritie Truex, 1734-88. 5. Sara 
Truex, 1754; Margarita Truex, 1788. 6. Catalyntje Van Eps, 
1754-88. 7. HelleirondaDamensC?), 1734. 



1. Eva Vander Volgen, 1734; Alicia Reyly, 1754: GeeVtruy 
R. Mynderse, 1788. 2. Maria Van [der] Volgen, 1734; Geer- 
truy Reyly, 1754 ; Margarita R. Mynderse ; Elisabeth Volkertse 
Veeder, 1788. 3. Catharina Vander Volgen, 1734-88; Catha- 
rina H. Yates, 1793. 4. Sarah Van Slyck, 1754; Sarah Van 
Schaick, 1788. 5. Engeltie Fairley, ^1754 88. 6. Debora 
Glen, 1734 ; Debora Van Eps, 1788. 



1. Susanna Vedder, 1734 ; Maria Van Petten, 1754 ; Catrina 
J. Cuyler ; Emmetje Clerk, 1788. 2. Maria H. Vedder, 1734; 
Engeltje Campbell, 1754-88 ; Be kerke, 1793. 3. Maria Stevens, 
1734-88. 4. Susanna Van Eps, 1734; Eva Young, 1754-88. 
5. Susanna Mynderse, 1734-88. 6. Ariaantje Van de Bogart, 
1754; Dekerk, 1765-88. 



BANK 8. 



1. Elisabeth Bratt, 734; Rebecca Peek, 1754-88. 2. Cata- 
lyna Berret 1734 ; Leena Johannese Van Antwerp, 1754-88. 3. 

Van Vranken, 1734 ; Margarita Vedder, huysvrouw 

van Reyer Veeder ; Margarita Van Vranken, 1754 ; Elisabet 
Truex; Maria R. Van Vranken, 1788. 4. Eva Feelick, 1734; 
Jannetie Van Guysling, 1754 ; Suster J. Van Guysling 1788. 

5. Engeltie Vrooman, 1734; Maria Sweruse Marselis 1754-88. 

6. An^ia Bratt, 1734 ; Maria R. Schermerhorn, 1754-88. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 207 

BANK 8>i« 

1. Jannetie Symonse Van Petteii, 1754-88. 2. Jannetie 
Johannese Teller, 1754-88. 3. Anna Johannese Teller, 1754-88. 
4. Annatie Jillese Van Vorst 1754-88. 5. Elisabeth Van 
Ingen, 1754-88. 6. Elisabeth P. Clute (McKinney) 1788. 



BANK 9. 

I. Hester Tyniense, 1734-54 ; Anna Tymense, 1788. 2. Anna 
Christiaanse, 1734; Immetie Christiaanse, 1754-88; De kerke, 
1801. 3. Margarita Janse Wemple, 1734 ; Elisabet Swart, 
1754 ; Sara C. Van de Bogart, 1788. 4. Molly Post, 1734-88; 
Catalina C. Van Santvoord, 1788. 5. Catarina Van Guysling, 
1734-88. 6. Jannetie Andriese Bratt, 1754; Annatie Bancker, 
1788. 



BANK 9. bis 

1. Neeltie Staats, 1754; Deborah Staats ; Helena Lansing, 
1788. 2. Helena Jac: Van Eps, 1754-88. 3. Margarita 
Scherraerhorn, 1754-88; Engeltie R. Schermerhorn, 1788. 
Catriena Banker, 1754; Catriena Banker Van Aernum, 1788; 
De kerke, 1791 ; Elisabeth Reynex, 1792. 5. Annatie Glen, 
1754; Margarita Hosford, 1788. G. Annatie Adriaanse Van 
Slyck, 1754-88. 



BANK 10. 

1. Anna Van Vorst, 1734; Elisabet Schermerhorn, 1754; 
Annatie Van Vranken, 1788. 2. Maria Arentse Vedder, 1734 ; 
Annatie Swart, 1754-88. 3. Helena Swits, 1734; Jannetie 
Vrooman, 1788. 4. Tanneke Clute, 1734; Tanneke Jac: 
Clute, 1754-88. 5. Jannetie Swits, 1734 ; Maria H. Vrooman, 
1754-88. 6. Helena Johannese Van Eps, 1734; Catrina 
Johannese Van Eps. 1754-88. 



208 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

BANK 11. 

Vacant. 

BANK 12. 

1. Annatie Abraharase Van Antwerp, 1754- . 2. Elisa- 
bet Bratt 1754* Rebecca De Graaf ; Debora De Graaf, 1788. 
3. Anna Bratt 1754; Elisabet Johannese Van Sice, 1788. 4. 
Susanna Bratt 1754; Annatje Freeman, 1788. 5. Alida 
Vredenbergh, 1 754-88 ; l>e kerke, 9. 

BANK 13. 

1. Elisabet Cornu, 1734; Elisabet Corna, 1754-88. 2. 
Maria Corna, 1734-88. 3. Helena Williemse Pieterse, 1 734 ; 
Elisabeth Abrahamse Bratt, 1754-94; Eva Abraharase Bratt, 
1794. 4. Sophia Pieterse, 1734-88; Cornelia Marselis, 1801. 
f^. Margareta Van Syse ; 1754; Helena Campbell; Mary Van 
Syce, 1788. 

BANK 14. 

1. Catrina Adriaanse Van Slyck, 1754-88. 2. Maria Yates, 
1754; Maria Cornelise Van Slyck, 1788; Elisabeth Cornelise 
Van Slyck, 1794. 3. Jacobatie Truex, 1754 94; Catalyntje 
Truex Conde, 1794. 4. Neeltie Viele, 1754-88. 5. Neelt'ie 
Bancker 1754-88. 6. Alida Conde, 1754. 

BANK 15. 

1. Susanna Toll, 1734; Magd.alena Scherraerhorn, 1754; 
Fytje Van Petten, 1788. 2. Elisabeth Toll, 1734; Geertruy 
Toll, 1754 ; Engeltie Viele, 1788 ; Neeltie Nicholas S. Van 
Petten, 1791. 3. Claartje Van Slyck, 1734; Judick Veeder, 
1754; Anna Combs, 1788. 4. Maria Fonda, 1734-54 ; Engel- 
tie Freeman ; Elisabeth Freeman ; Maria Vedder : Hannah 
Warner, 1788; Catharine Theresa Romeyu Beck, 1794. 5. 
In geltie Van Petten, 1754-88. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 209 

BANK 16. 

1. Eva Swart, 1734; Geertruy M. Mynderse, 1754; Susan 
Schermerhorn, 1803. 2. Maria Mynderse, 1734-54 ; Annatie 
Joseph Mynderse, 1794. 3. Elizabeth Marselis, 1754 ; Helena 
Marmlis, weduwe, 1788. 4. Anna Teller, 1 754 ; Anna W. Teller, 
1788. 5. Encreltie Veeder. 1754-88. 



BANK 17. 

1. Jannetie Viele, 1734 ; Catrina Albertse Vedder, 1754-88 ; 
Catharina Arent A. Vedder, 1798. 2. Ariaantje Andrz : Bratt, 
1734. 3. Margareta Schermerhorn, 1734; Susanna Schermer- 
horn, 1754-88. 4. Geertruy Groot, 1734; Marry tje Claaz: 
Van Petten, 1754; Raghel Jacobuse Fonda, 1788. 5. Cata. 
lina R. Wemple, 1734; Susanna R. Wemple, 1754; Alida 
Wemple, 1788. 6. Catriena Swart, 1754-88 ; Rebecca Groot, 
1804. 



BANK 18. 

1. Maria Dellamont, 1734; Annatie Dellamont, 1754; 
Catrina Swits, 1788. 2. Suster Van GuysUng, 1734; Suster 
Swits, 17 54-88. 3. Marytje Veeder, 1734; Catharina Van 
Slyck, 1754-88. 4. Rebecca DeGraaf, 1734; Hester Toll, 
1754 ; Hester C. Toll, 1788. 5. Margarita Dellamont, 1754-88. 



BANK 19. 

1. Catharina Livingston 1734. 2. Delia Groenendyck, 1734; 
Maria Schuyler ; Jannetie Van Slyck, 1754; Geertruy Cornelise 
Van Slyck, 1788; Jannetie Lambert, 1790. 3. Maria Groen- 
endyck, 1734 ; Sarah J. Mynderse, 1754-88 ; Alida M. Wemple, 
1791. 4. Margarieta Groenendyck, 1734 ; Geertruy J. Myn 
derse, 1754-88. 5. Geertruy Mynderse, 1754 ; Margarita M. 
Mynderse, 1754-88. 6. Susanna Bratt, 1734 ; Catharina Akes 
Van Slyck, 1754 ; Jannetie Reyley, 1788. 

27 



210 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

BANK 20, 

g-l Predikants Huysgeziu, 1754-88. 3. Susanna Toll, 1754- 

88. 4. Hesje Johannese Toll, 1754-88. 5. Elisabeth Ten 
Eyck, 1754-88. 



BANK 21. 

1. Eva Dellaraont, 1734-88. 2. Catviena Van Petten, 1734 ; 
Catriena S. Veeder 1754-88; Susanna Roseboom, 1803. 3. 
Cornelia Bratt, 1 734 ; Geertruy Van Slyck, 1790. 4. Grietje 
Bratt,1734; Susanna Toll, 1754 ; Catrina Johannese Glen, 1788. 
5. Margarita A. Peeck, 1 754-88. 



BANK 22. 

1. Maria Van Brackell, 1734 ; Maria Vedder, 1754; Helena 
Veeder, 1788. 2. Tryntje Bratt 1734 ; Eva Peek, 1754-88. 
3. Maritie Glen, 1734; Maria Van Eps, 1754; Elisabeth P. 
Van Gysling, 1788. 4. Maria Yates, 1734; Maria Smith, 
1754 88. 5. Sara A. Yates, 1754; Eva C. Yates, 1788. 



BANK 23. 

1. Helena Wemp, 1734; Helena Bratt, 1754; Helena C. 
Yates, 1788. 2. Elisabeth Yates, 1793. 3. Gerzina De 
Graaf, 1734-88 Susanna DeGraaf, 1809. 4. Susanna Arentse 
Bratt, 1734; Susanna P. Mebie, 1754; Maria Mebie, 1788. 5- 
Margarieta Wemple 1754-88. 



BANK 24. 

1. Anna Van Dyck, '734; Aegje Danielse [Van Antwerp], 
1754; Ariaantje Yates, 1788. 2. Jacomyntje Van Dyck, 1734 ; 
Maria W^endell, 1754-88. 3. Maria Danielse Van Antwerp, 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 211 

1734; Engeltje Vau Antwerp, 1754-88. 4, Anna Pieterse 
Danielse [Van Antwerp], 1734; Engeltie Groot, 1754; Annatie 
Groot, 1754; Margarieta A. Van Eps, 1788. 5. Neeltje Van 
Antwerp, 1754-88. 



BANK 25. 

1. Catrina Jacobse Mebie, 1734-54; Margarita Brouwer 
Bancker, 1788. 2. Margarieta Mebie, 1734; Anna Jac : 
Mebie, 1754 ; Anna Clute, 1788. 3. Maritie Pieterse Danielse 
[Van Antwerp], 1734-88. 4. Sara Reyley, Huysvrouw van 
Daniel Fort, 1734-88; Catrina B. Bancker, 1792. 5. Raghel 
Vrooman, 1754-88 ; Catharina Marselis, 1803. 



BANK 26. 

1. Helena Post, 1734-88; Margarieta Van Santvoord, 1803. 
2. GezinaDeGraaf, 1734-54; GesinaVedder 1788. 3. Debora 
Van Gysling, 1754 ; Debora Swits, 1788; Debora N. Hall, 1803. 
4. Margarietie Bratt, 1734; Claartje Vrooman, 1754-88. 5. 
Margarieta Cornelise Vrooman, 1754 ; Elisabeth Bratt Vrooman, 
1794. 



BANK 27. 



1. Engeltie Bratt, 1754; Margarieta D. McKinney, 1788. 2. 

Maria P. Vrooman, 1754; Annatie Johannese Vedder, 1788. 3. 

Helena Van Deusen, ) ^l^^ 4- J^nneke Truax, ) 

Doghter Van Elisabeth Haff, ( , ,*2« i T t "" \ ' 
° ' ^1788. Johannes Iruex ) 

De kerk, 1793 ; Elisabeth Johannese Quackenbos, 1794. 5. 

Jacomyntje Schermerhorn, 1754; Debora Schermerhorn, 1788. 



BANK 28. 
Vacant. 



212 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



BANK 29. 

1. Anna Quackenbos, 1734-54 ; Anna Isaacse Quackenbos, 
1788. 2. Geertruy Van Vranken, 1 734 ; Catharina C. Mebie, 
1788. 3. NeeltjeVedder, 1734-54; Sara Scherraerhorn, 1788. 
4. Catrina Arentse Vedder, 1754-88; Sarah Johannese Toll, 
1794. 5. Elisabeth Quackenbos, 1754-88. 



BANK 30. 

1. Alida Toll, 1734-88. 2. Anneke Toll, 1754-88. 3. Effie 
Toll, 1754-88. 4. Folkie Vedder, 1754; Ariaantje L. Van 
Vranken, 1788; De kerke, 1803 ; Angelica Vrooman, 1810. 5. 
Elisabeth Fairly, 1754-88. 



BANK 31. 

1. Susanna Bragham, 1734; Catrina Swits, 1754; Catrina 
S. Bratt, 1794; Catharina Peek, 1803. 2. Eva Groot, 1734; 
Doortie Vrooman, 1754-88 ; Maria Van Slyck, 1803. 3. Cata- 
rina Veeder, 1734-54; Catharina W. Teller, 1788. 4. Anna 
Arentse Bratt, 1734-88; Elisabeth Cornelise Bratt, 1801. 5. 
Catrina Van der Heyden, 1754; Engeltie Jacobuse Van Eps, 
1788. 



BANK 32. 

1. Elisabeth Groot, 1734; Rebecca J. Quackenbos, 1754-8S. 
2. Catryntje Van Brakel, 1734; Marya Lagrange; Ariaantie 
Vander Volgen, 1754-88. 3. Elisabeth Van Sice, 1754; 
Francina Van Ingen, 1788. 4. Sara Marselis, weo?wi^e, 1734; 
SaraLighthall, 17.'^4-88. 5. Sara Peek, 1754-S8. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 213 

BANK 33. 

1. Catrina Bartho Vrooman, 1754; Catrina Peek, 1788. 2. 
Angenitie Danielse [Van Antwerp], 1 734 ; Angenitie Van Slyck, 
1754; Susanna Van Antwerp, 1788. 3. Mary a Groot, 1734-88. 
4 Eva Yates 1734; Jannetie Cornelise Van Slyck ; Christina 
Van Slyck, 1754; Susanna Pieterse, 1788. 5. Catrina Van 
Slyck, Wedmoe, 1734; Maria Jacobuse Mynderse, 1754; 
Margarieta J. Mynderse, 1788. 

BANK 34. 

1. Maike Van Petten, 1734; Gertie Van Petten, 1754-88. 
2. Metie P'airly 1734-88; Be Kerke, 1792; Engeltie Campbell, 
1793. 3. AntjeSchermerhorn, 1734; Debora Kettle, 1754-88; 
Annatie Beck Van Gyseling, 1791. 4. Janne Van Petten, 
1734; Jannetie Clement, 1754; Marytje Bratt, 1788. 5- 
Geesie Vrooman, 1754-88. 

BANK 35. 

1. Marytje Vrooman, 1734; Jannetie Fonda, vrouw van 
Jellis Fonda, 1 788 ; Alida A. Vedder, 1801. 2. Folkie Wemp, 
1734, Jannetie Stoff else Yates, 1788. 3. Margarieta Veeder, 
weduwe, 1734; Folkie Veeder, 1788; Ariaantje L. Van Vran- 
ken, 1803. 4. Engeltie Van Driessen, 1754-88. 5. Engeltie 
Lansinsf. 1734; Folkie S wits. 1788. 



BANK 36. 

1. Margarieta Ten Eyck, 1734; Margarita Jac : Ten Eyck, 
1754; Anna S. Ten Eyck, 1788. 2. Ragheltie Ten Eyck, 

.754; Raghe, Ten Eyck, 1787; llTj^Ttijll: } H^"- 



8. Debora Sandei-sV ff»ys.n.M»1 j„^. g^^^ g^„j l^gg 

van John ^Sanders Jr., j 
4. Elisabeth Sanders,^ 1754 

doffter van John ^ tot 5. Catrina Hendricke Veeder, 
Sanders,) 1788. 
1754-88. 



214 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

BANK 37. 

1. Margarita Van Slyck, 1754-88. Catharina H. Van Slyck, 
1797. 2. Helena Van Slyck, 1734 : Elisabeth Visger, 1754-88. 
Caatie Van Slyck 1754-88. 4. Sophia Pieterse, 1734; 
Margarieta Peterse, 1754-88; Engeltie P. Truex, 1800. 5. 



T .• Ty 1 -iwr^ Elisabeth Glen, doghter) 

Jannetie Reylv, 1754 ; tt ^^i ^ 

- " van 41enry Glen, j 



1788. 



1. Ariaantje Wemp, 1734; Hesje Toll; Annnatie Glen 
1754-88. 2. Marya Wemp, 1734; Susanna Fonda, 1754; 
Rebecca Yates, 1788. 3. Rebecca Glen, 1734; Cathryna 
Wendell, 1754-88. 4. Gesina Swits, 1734 ; Susanna DeGraaf, 
1754-88. 5. Sara Abrahamse Glen. 1754-88. 



BANK 39. 

1. Elisabeth Yates, 1734; Sara Ephraim Smith, 1788. 2. 
Maritie Vrooman, 1734 ; Engeltie Veeder, 1788; Engeltie Ar : 
Bradt Dens, 1734. 3. Ragheltie Fonda, 1734; Rachel 
Nieuwkerk, 1788; Tanneke DeGraaf, 1794. 5. Anna Beck, 
1734; Christina Isaacse Truex, 1788; Hannah Moyston, 1805. 
5. Maria Stevens, 1788 ; Catharina Stuart 1794. 



BANK 40. 

1. Jannetie Bradt, 1734; Maria L. Vrooman, 1788. 2. 
Baata Marinus, 1734; Annatie Vrooman, 1754; Engeltie Vroo- 
man, 1788. 3. Sara Smith, 1734; Sara Van Eps, 1788. 4. 
Neeltie P. (?) Van Eps, 1734; Elisabeth Van Vorst, 1788. 5. 
Sarah Marselis, 1754;' Eva Yates Jr., 1788; Sarah Peek, 1810. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 215 

BANK 41. 

1. Engeltie Schermerhorn, 1734 ; Engeltie Veeder, 1788. 
2. Altie DeGraaf, 1734 ; Eva Schei-merhorii, 1788. 3. Jacomyn- 
tie Pottraan, 1734; Cornelia J. Barhydt, 1788; Nancy J. 
Barhydt, 1811. 4. Eva Marselis, 1734; Sara Marselis Jr., 
1754-88. 5. Caatje Condie, 1788. 



BANK 42. 

1. Leja Stevens, 1734; Maria Hagadorn, 1754; Annatje 
Connor, 1788. 2. Dientje Hagadorn, 1734; Rachel Barhydt, 
1788. 3. Elisabeth Brouwer, 1734; Margareta Van de 
Bogart, 1788. 4, Annatje W. Veeder, 1734; Jannetie Jos: 
Yates Cuyler, 1788. 5. Elisabeth Jos: Yates Van Sly ck, 1788. 



BANK 43. 

1. Sartje Danielse Van Antwerp, 1734; Annatie Wesselse, 
1754-88. 2. Marya Danielse Van Antwerp, 1734-88 ; Geertruy 
Vander Hey den, 1809. 3. Rebecca Danielse Van Antwerp, 
1734-88; Rebecca Putman, 1809. 4. Hillegonda Van Vranken, 
1754-88. 5, Margarieta Vrooman, 1788. 



BANK 44. 

1, Catrina Colon, 1754; Lena Oothout, 1788. 2. Jannetje 
Bratt, 1788. 3. Magdalena Oothout, 1788; Margarieta 
Oothout, 1791. 4. Elisabeth A. Joh : Potman, 1788. 5. 
Margarieta Albertse Vedder, 1788. 



BANK 45. 

1. Catrina Syraon Vrooman, 1734 ; I^ena Vrooman, 1788, 
Catharina Glen, 1734; Helena Wemple, 1788. 3. Susanna 



216 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

Glen, 1734; Rachel Wemple, 1788. 4. Anna Truex, 1734; 
Elisabeth Ab : Truax, 1754-88 ; Elisabeth Collon. 5. Rachel 
Clute, 1788; Rachel Gonzalis, 1801. 6. Margarietje Jno : 
Bapt: Van Yorst, 1788. 

BANK 46. 

1. Elisabeth DeGraaf, 1734 ; Margarieta Jesse Van Slyck, 
1788. 2. Anneke DeGraaf, 1734; Alida DeGraaf, 1754; 
Ariaantje Van de Bogart, 1748. 3. Maria DeGraaf, 1734-88. 
4. Ariaantje Schermerhorn, 1734 ; Alida Clement, 1788. 5. 
Catrina Hall, 1754-88; Maria Jac: Vedder, 1791. 6. Anneke 
DeGraaf, 1788. 



BANK 47. 

1. Eytie Vrooman, 1734; Maritje Jac: Vrooman, 1788. 2. 
Maria Isaaese Vrooman, 1734; Maria Marselis, 1788. 3. 
Johanna Van Vorst, 1734 ; Sara Marselis, 1788. 4. Weduwe 
Jan Danielse [Van Antwerp], 1734; Catriena Johannese Hall, 
1754 88. 5. Willemptje Groot, 1754; WillemptieMebie, 1788. 
6. Hester Van de Bogart, 1754 ; Maria Albert Vedder, 1788. 



BANK 48. 

1. Alida Wemp, 1734; Cornelia Brouwer, 1754; Catharina 
Van Antwerp, 1788. 2 Lena Fonda, 1734; Brechje Van^ 
Slyck, 1754; Clara Van Slyck, 1788. 3. Annatie Van Vleck, 
1734; Catharina Van Olinda, 1788. 4. Debora DeGraaf, 1734; 
Elisabeth Clute, 1788. 5. Maria Van Vleck, 1754; Maria 
Dellamont, 1788. 6. Maria H. Brouwer, 1754-88. 



BANK 49. 

1. Maritie Brouwers, 1734; Elisabeth Brouwers, 1754; Elisa- 
beth Bratt, 1788. 2. Lysbet Toll, 1734; Neeltje Johannese 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 217 

Van Eps, 1754; Eva Johannese Van Petten, 1788. 3, Elisa- 
bpth Brouwer, 1734; Elisabeth H. Brouwers, 1788. 4. Maritie 
S. Veeder, 1734; Maria S. Vedder (?), 1788. 5. Catrina Van 
de Bogart, 1734; Maria McMichael, / 788. 6. Maritie Ar: De 
Graaf, 1734; Annatie Vedder, 1788. 



BANK 50. 

1. Barber Franse [Van de Bogart] 1734; Anna Connor, 
1754 ; Maria Sanderse Vedder ; Sara Sanderse Vedder ; Mar 
garita A. Truex, 1788. 2. Tryntje Vrooman, 1734 ; Catriena 
Yates, 1754-88; Maria Marselis Van Vranken, 1801. 3. Maritie 
Swits, 1734; Maria Yates, 1754; Maria Yates Teller, 1788. 
4. Maria Van Antwerp, 1 734 ; Ariaantje G. Van Antwerj^, 
1754-88. 5. Margarieta Vedder, 1754; Annatie Albert Ved- 
der, 1788. 6. Eli^sabeth Johannese Van Eps, 1754-88. 



BANK 51. 

1. Gesina Vrooman, 1734; Neeltie Van Antwerp, 1754; 
Sophia Wessels, 1788. 2. Maritie Van Brakell, 1734 ; Hester 
Vrooman, 1754; Marya Ja: Heemstraat, 1788. 3. Jannetie 
Cornelise Van Slyck, 1734; Geesie Schermerhoru, 1754-88. 4. 
Elisabeth Peek, 1734; Rebecca Symonse Groot, 1754-88. 5. 
Alida Wemp, 1734 ; Eva Yates, 1754-88 ; Hubertje S. Bratt, 
1790. 6. Neeltie H. Van Antwerp, 1734; Catlyntie Yates, 
1754-88. 



BANK 52. 

1. Margarita Vrooman, 1734; Eva Vrooman, Seth's Vrouw, 
1754; Alida Adam Vrooman, 1788. 2. Jannetie Van Slyck: 
1734; Engeltie Lansing 1754-88. 3. Maria Fonda, 1734; 
Eva Van Schaick, 1 754 ; Antie DeGarmo, weduwe, 1788 ; Eva 
H. Van Dyck, 1734. 4. Engeltie Lansing, 1754 ; Helena Adr, 
Van Slyck, 1788. Rebecca Fort, 1734; Susanna Cornelise Van 

28 



218 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

de Volgen, 1754-88. 6. Marya Fort lt34; Maria F. Veeder, 
l'754-88. 7. Engelina Van Slyck, 1734-54 ; Catharina Stiers, 
1788. 



BANK 53. 

1. Margarieta H. Van Slyck, 1754-88. 2. Sara Vedder, 
1754|; Sara Van Petten, 1788. 3. Maghtelt Lansing, 1754; 
Ruth Lansing 1788 ; Annatje Jac: Beeknian, 1799. 4. Breghje 
Van Guysling, 1754 ; Suster Peek, 1788 ; iVancy A. Peek, 1809. 
5. Mieke Bratt, 1754; Annatie Berret, 1788. 6. Elisabeth 
Groot, 1754; Neeltie Groot; Jacomyntje Van Slyck, 1788. 7. 
Debora Veeling, 1754-88; De kerke, 1793. 



BANK 53. 

1. Lydia Van Slyck, 1734; Margarieta H. Van Slyck, 1754-38. 
2. Sara Vedder, 1734 ; Sara Van Petten, 1754-88. 3. Rebecca 
Brouwers, 1734; Magtelt Lansing, 1754; Ruth Lansing, 17S8; 
Annatie Jac; Beekman, 1790. 4. Diewer Viele, 1734; Breghie 
Van Gysling, 1754; Suster Peek, 1788; Nancy A Peek, 1809. 
5. Mieke Bratt, 1734-54 ; Anna Berret, 1 788. 6. Vredtie 
Van Vorst, 1734; Elisabeth Groot, 1754; Neeltie Groot; 
Jaconiyntie Van Slyck, 1788. 7- Debora Veeling, 1754-88; 
Be kerk, 1792. 

BANK 54. 

1. Anna Peek, 1784; Annatie DeGraaf, 1754-88. 2. Mar- 
garita Van de Bogart, 1734 ; Marya Morrison, 1754-88. 3. 
Angenieta Vrooman, 1 734 ; Margarieta Joh^'e Veeder, 1754-88 : 
The Church, 1801. 4. Antje P. Clements, 1734 ; Susanna 
Sixby, 1754-88; The Church, 1801. 5. Margarieta Bisoe, 1734; 
Maria Wm. Beth, 1754 88. 6. Anna Smith, 1734 ; Breghie 
Smith, 1754; Maria Abr^^e Fonda; Annatie Van de Bogart, 
1788. 7. Sarah Vrooman, 1754; Geertruy Bosie ; Sarah S. 
Schermerhorn, 1788. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 219 

BANK 55. 

1. Catriena Bratt, 1734; Anna J. Empie, 1^54-88. 2. Mar- 
garieta Bratt, 1734 ; Tanneke Van Dyck, 1754 88; Eve Wen- 
dell, 1810. 3. Helena Bratt, 1734; Jannetie Joh : Schermer- 
horn, 1754; Helena Ogden, 1788 ; De Huysvrouw van Dom : 
Romeyn , 1792. 4. A riaantje Bratt, 1734-88; Jannetie Ar. 
Van Petten, 1794. 5. Debora VVenip, 1734; P'olekie Bratt, 
1754-88. 6. Catlintje Ajidr: Bratt, 1734 ; Annatie Christ«- 
Yates, 1754-88. 7. Rebecca Wemp, 1734; Jannetie Tyras, 
Maria Van Petten, 1788. 



BAAK 56. 

1. Maria Ab™--e Mebie, 1754; Ragheltje Fonda Jr., 1788. 
2. Sara Van Petten, 1754; Catrina A. Bratt, 178^. 3. Elisa- 
beth Groot, 1734; Rebecca DeGraaf, 1754-88. 4. Annatie 
G. Mebie, 1754; Ainiatie Erickson, 1788. 5. Eve Van 

Petten, huysvrouw van ) ,_,. ^ , r, i. if-oo n 

T , -^ rr n >-17»4; Geertruy Swart, 1788. 6. 

Johannes loll, j j i 

Catriua Stevens, 1754-88; Eve Mebie. 



BANK 57. 

1. Neeltie S. Van Eps, 1734-88. 2. Catrina Lansing, 1754; 
Debora Lansing, 1788, 3. Catrina Dellamont, 1754-88. 4. 
LenaSanderse Van Eps, 1754-88 ; i>t? kerk, 1792. 5. Mar- 
garieta Brouwers [Brown?], 1754 ; Annatie Beck Guysling, 
1788; De kerke, \7dl ; Helena Ogden, 1792. 6. Maria Mar- 
selis, 1754-88 ; De kerk. 



BANK 58. 

I. Elisabeth Ph. Groot, 1754 ; Neeltie Ph. Gi-oot; Annatie 
Petrus Groot. 1788. 2. Alida Nack, 1754 ; Alida Vedder, 



220 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

1788; Dekerh, 1801. 3. Margarieta Van Slyck, 1754-88. 4. 
Margarieta Peek, 1754; Lena Peek Barhydt, 1788. 5. Elisa- 
beth Isaac Marselis, 1754-88. 6. Maria Arentse J. Vedder, 

1754-8S. 



BANK 59 tot 62. 
De kerkenraadt. 




HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 221 



APPENDIX B. 



SCHENECTADY ACADEMY AND UNION COLLEGE. 

Schenectady Academy, out of which grew Union College, was 
commenced in 1785. Domine Romeyn, who came to the village 
the year before, was the soul of this new enterprize. Through 
his influence the church was induced to erect a commodious 
building, and the citizens engaged to give it their patronage 
and furnish it with a library. After a prosperous existence of 
nearly ten years, a College charter having been obtained, the 
Academy property was passed over into the hands of its Trustees. 
The progress of this undertaking can be clearly traced in the 
minutes of the Consistory. Their first official action was taken 
on the 21st day of February L78o, when they resolved to con- 
struct, as speedily as possible, with the help of the church, a 
house of two stories, with two rooms in each story, upon the lot 
of ground belonging to the church upon which the old Guard- 
house * now stands ; and that upon the completion of the build- 
ing three of said 4'ooms shall be assigned for the use of the 
school and Academy, f 

Moreover on account of the cost of the Academy house to the 
Church it was resolved that said Church shall receive four shil- 
lings yearly from every scholar taught in said house ; and if said 
Academy or Illustre School shall become changed into a college, 
then the President of such College as well as the Rector of said 
school shall be a member of the Dutch Church and minister of 
this church — and the said four shillings for each scholar shall be 
bestowed upon such poor scholars as the Church shall name. 

* After the erection of the church of 1734, that of 1715, standing at the 
junction of Church and State streets was used as a fort ; it was not standing in 
1754, but a Guard or VVatchhouse seems to have been erected in its place. 

+ Bestolen so spoedig als mogelyk met de hulpe Van hun E. Gemeente, een 
Huys Van Twee Verdiepingeii en twee Verbrekken in yeder Verdiepinge te 
Bouwen op het Lot grondt tot de Kerk behorende, daar tegenswoordigh het 
Oude Wacht huys staat ; sullende op volvoeringe van het gebrouw, drie van 
desselfs Vertrekken worden of gesondert tot school en Academie gebruyk. 

— Consistory minutes. 



222 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

March 5th 1785 : — The consistory about this time were still 
negotiating with the town magistrates for the improvement 
of the Common schools {trivia le schohn) of the town and for the 
establishment of an Illustre School or Academy. 

March 16th, 1785: — The Consistory order the gathering of 
materials for the Academy building. 

March 25th: — It was considered expedient to build the 
academy not upon the old Guardhouse Lot but upon the North 
corner of Union & Ferry streets on land then belonging to 
Johannes Pootman : — ordered that building materials shall be 
procured as speedily as possible — also carpenters and Masons. 

April 7th 1785 : — The Academy building being now well 
under way the Consistory and 27 respectable citizens of the 
town met Reuben Simonds [public] House [in Church street] to 
close the matter of the Academy by signing articles of agree- 
ment for the management & support of said academy. * 
The names of these 27 respectable citizens were, 
Cornelius A"^ Van Slyck, John Richardson, 

Andries Van Petten, Robert Moyston, 

Joseph Yates, William Van Ingen, 

Cornelius Vrooman, Henry Glen, for 

Samuel A. Brat, Jolni G4en, 

Isaac Quackenboss, Abraham Fonda, 

Abraham Swits, Abraham Oothout, for 

Gerrit A. Lansingh, Harmanus Bradt, 

Daniel Campbell, Reyn»' Mynderse, 

Claes Van der Volgen, William Mead, 

Peter Van Gyseling, Corn^ Van Dyck, 

Chrisf Yates, Isaac Vrooman, 

Henry Glen, Nicholas Veeder, 

Abraham Oothout, D. Romeyn Prasts. 

Signed in presence of 

Ab"" Truex. 
Reuben Simmonds. 
Mynd' M. Weraple. 



* This agreement is drawn up with great formality & particularity in eleven 
sections & is written on fifteen pages of foolscap. It was probably drawn up 
by Dr. Romeyn who was President of the meeting. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 223 

The first board of Trustees elected in accordance with the 
terms of this contract, were : — 

Do Dirk Romeyn, President. 
Dirk Van Ingen, Secretary. 
Abraham Oothout, Treasurer. 
John Glen. 
Daniel Campbell. 
Heiny Glen. • 

Frey. 

Claas Van der Volgen. 
John Sanders. 
Peter Vrooman. 
Dietz. 



April 22nd 1785: — The Consistory oppoint Wm. Schermer- 
horn to superintend tlie building of the Academy. 

August 1st, 1785:— Committees both of Citizens and Consis- 
tory are appointed to urge forward the Academy building. * 

An effort was made in 1791 to endow this school by a grant 
of Indian Lands; and November 16th, Dr Dirk Van Ingen 
announced to the Consistory that he and others had rented 10,- 
240 acres of land of the Oneida Indians for 21 years on con- 
sideration that he paid after five years £100 yearly to said 
Indians. Dr. V. offered said land to the Consistory to be held 
for the benefit of the Schenectady church in as much as said 
Academy unincorporated could not hold real estate. At first 
the Consistory agreed to receive the land but subsequently gave 
it up finding doubtless that it could not be legally held by the 
Church. 

On the second day of April, I 793, the Trustees of the Academy 
ask that the building erected by the Dutch church be made over 
unto them, to which the Consistory consented. And on Septem- 
ber 24th, 1 7n6,the Trustees of Union CoUe^^e ask that the build- 
ing be made over to them unconditionally, to be sold, and the 
money put into a more commodious building : — on due consider- 
ation this request was granted, and the proceeds of this sale 
with other moneys were used in building the present Union 
School edifice. 

* A stone of an oval shape was built into the front, on which were cut the 
names of the building committee. 

This stone is now in Union College Museum. 



APPENDIX C. 



37 



38 



39 



43 



45 



46 



47 



Plan of the Church of 1814. 



1 

36 


I 


35 


2 


34 


3 


33 


4 


32 


5 


31 


6 


30 


7 


29 


8 


28 


9 


27 


10 


26 


II 


25 


12 


24 


13 


23 


14 


22 


15 


21 


16 
17 


20 


19 


18 




48 




1 


1 















96 
95 


61 

62 


94 


63 


93 


64 


92 


65 


91 


66 


90 


67 


89 


68 


88 


69 


87 


70 


86 


71 


85 


72 


84 


73 


83 
82 


74 
75 


81 


76 


80 


77 


79 


78 



49 



I I 



I I 



60 



58 



57 



54 



53 



52 



50 



29 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 227 



NAMES OF THE PEW-HOLDERS IN THE CHURCH 

OF 1814.* 

No. 1 . Reserved for the Elders. 
'^ 2. John N. Marselis and Jno : Bapt : Van Epps. 

3. Widow Volkie Veeder. 
u 4, Widow Jane Yates. 
" 5. John Sanders ; Joseph Horsfall, later. 
" 6. Widow Rebecca Van Vranken. 
" 7. Abraham Van Ingen ; Walter Clute, later. 
Zeger Van Santvoord ; Jacob Truax, later. 
9. Cornelius Van Santvoord. 

Estate of C Roseboom and C Zeger Van Santvoord; 

Margaret Visger, later. 
Iklaas Van Vranken and Richard Van Vfanken. 
12. Harmanus Peek. 
IB. Jacob M. DeForest. 

14. Nicholas A. Marselis. 

15. Widow Nancy Vrooman. 

16. Cornelius S. Groot. 

17. Cornelius Clute and H. Van Huysen. 

18. John Clark. 

19. Harmanus Veeder. 

20. David Kittle, Elizabeth Ouderkirk and Margaret 
Steers. 

21. Henry N. Van Petten. 

22. Abraham S. Groot * * * Richd. McMichael. 
23 Rudolph Van Huysen and Gerrit Bensen. 

24. John Yates; 1821, John H. Moyston, Robt. Moys- 
ton ; 1825, made free by the Consistory. 

25. Joseph Mynderse. 

26. J oseph Mynderse for John B. Yates, John 1 onnelier. 

27. Walter Barheit & Nicholas N. Marselis. 

28. Myndert Van Gysling and Elisabeth Mills. 



* Prior to this date the Congregation was seated according to sex ; after 
ward in families. 



228 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

No. 29. Widow Maria Brower. 

" 30. Miss Debova Graham 

" 31. Simon J. Van Antwerp and Philip Van Vorst. 

li oo* >- Jeremiah Fuller. 

" 34. Elisabeth Pritice and Miss Van Gysling. 

" 35. James Rosa. 

'• 36. Stephen N. Bayard, Rev. Jacob Van Vechten. 

'' 3V. Jacob Swits. 

« 38. Ge'-.-it S. Veeder and Jell is Fotida. 

" 39. Coi-neliiis A. Groot and John P. Truax, James V. S. 

Ryley. 

" 40. Ab)-ahani Oothont. 

" 41. Joseph C. Yates, D. D. Campbell, Rev. Jacob Van 

Vechien. 

" 42. He\iiy Yale^ Jr. 

" 43. Tobias A. Ctiylev, Thomas Tripp and Giles F. Yates, 

" 44. Peter F. Weodella*i)d Maria Alexander. 

" 45. John H. Moysloo, Bartho: Schermerhorn. 

" 46. Alex : G. Fonda aud Jell's A. Fonda. 

" 47. John S. Bonny, Trip and Tannahill, Free, 

later. 

" 48. Joseph C. Yates. 

" 49. Barent S. Myudei-se. 

" 50. Free. 

" 51. Henry Peek. " 

" 52. John S. Vvooman : M. T. Veeder. 

» 53. Is.^ac De GvaaP. 

•' 54. Abraham Beck: Myndert Vander Volgen. 

" 55. John Huveily aid Ha'manns A. Van Slyck. 

" 56. Abi-ahiim Va'a Eos aud D.ivid Boyd. 

" 57. Miias iuid John S. Sch^'meiho'n. 

" 58. Widow Angel'ca Schermeihord. 

" 59. Jacob Beeckmaa : W;d: Nancy Beekman. 

" 60. Joseph Peek ; Jooa- HoUand. 

" 61. Jame< V. S. Ryley : J oseph Consaul. 

" 62. Isaac Rig-^c^s. 

" 63. Philip R. Toll : Freden'c Reese. 

" 64. John Veeder : Daniel C. Bradt. 

" 65. Abi-aham A. Truax. 



i 



No. 


66. 


(C 


67. 


(C 


68, 


a 


69. : 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 229 

Maas and John S. Schermerhorn. 
John B. Vedder. 

Maria Morrison and Peter Becker. 
Sybrant Van Schaick ; A. Marselis, John S. Ten 
Eyck. 

70. Andrew N. Van Petten ; Elisabeth Bancker, Mar- 

garet Dellaraont. 

71. Ger^honi Van Voast. 

72. Oliver 0-t'om; John S. Ten Eyck. 

73. Jacob C. and Joseph Consanl, Alexander Vedder. 

74. Henry A Fonda; Daniel J. Toll, Abraham Scher- 

mevhoin. 

75. David Vander Heyden, Adrian Van Santvoord. 

76. Joseph Horsfall. 

77. John J. Peek. 

78. Aaron F. Vedder. 

79. Thomas B. Clinch : Aaron Farns worth. 

80. John C. Bai-heit. 

81. Widow Helen Linn. 

82. Don we Chne. 

83. Isaac I. DeGraaf. 

84. Jacob G -oesbeck. 

85. Ba-lholomew Clute : John B. Clute. 

86. Jacob I. Clute. 

87. Daniel L. Vaa Antwerp. 

88. Dao'el Vedder. 

89. TakeiHis Vedder, Elisabeth Vrooman and Catharine 

J. SchC' met horn. 

90. E''sabeih Mercer; Abraham Van Ingen. 

91. Peter Brower. 

92. John I. and James I Van Eps. 

93. Daniel S. DeGraaf. 

94. Widow Mary Teller. 

95. Jacob Van Antwerp. 

96. Deacons' Pew. 



APPENDIX D, 



144 I 143 



I I 



[42 I 141 



Organ loft. 



145 
146 



147 



1 48 
149 
150 



151 



152 
153 
154 



155 
156 

157 

lit 
159 



160 



i6i 
162 



163^ 
164 
165 



166 



167 



168 



Pulpit. 



36 i 137 i 138 ; 139 



135 
134 


86 
87 


133 
132 

131 


88 
89 
90 


130 


91 


129 


92 


128 


93 


127 


94 


126 

125 

124 


95 
96 

97 


123 


98 


122 


99 


121 
120 


100 

lOI 


119 


102 


118 


103 


117 


104 


116 


105 


"5 


106 


114 


I07 


"3 


108 


112 


109 


III 


no 



Bride's door. 



34 



33 



32 



3i 



26 



28 



29 



30 



25 



85 


36 


84 


37 


— 


— 


1 83 


38 







j 82 


39 







81 


40 


._ . . 





80 


41 


79 


42 


78 


43 


77 


44 








76 


45 


75 


46 


74 


47 


73 


48 


72 


49 


71 


50 








70 


51 


69 


52 


68 


53 


67- 


54 


66 


55 


65 


56 


64 


57 




. — 


63 


58 


62 


59 


61 


60 



Stairs to gallery. 



Planof Church of 1863. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



233 



" The rent price of Pews in the Reformed P. Dutch Church, 
Schenectady, N. Y., July 24th, 1863, as reported to the Consis- 
tory by the Committee appointed by them " : — 



Pew. 


Lessee. 


Price 


No 


1. 


Angelica Van Petten, . 


. . $ 8. 


" 


2. 


B. L. Conde, .... 


8. 


a 


3. 


S. 0. Hedden, 


10. 


" 


4. 


C. H. Van Vranken, . 


10. 


a 


5. 


Geo. B. McClyman, 


10. 


" 


6. 


James G. Caw, .... 


10. 


" 


T. 


Duncan Robinson, 


10. 


>i 


8. 


Mrs. T. Combs and Sarah Swits, 


10. 


it 


9. 


George Harding, . 


10. 


" 


10. 


James B. Clute, 


9. 


a 


H. 


Mrs. A. E. Harmon, 


14. 


" 


12. 


Ernestus Putman, 


16. 


" 


13. 


Jas. H. Barhydt, . 


16. 


" 


14. 


Abraham Veeder, 


16. 


" 


15. 


Mrs. Abrni. Veeder, 


16. 


i( 


16. 


J. R. Sitterlee, .... 


16. 


ii 


17. 


N. J. Schermerhorn, 


14. 


" 


18. 


G. W. Moon, .... 


11. 


V' 


19. 


A. Vandermore, . 


10. 


" 


20. 


A. C. Van Eps, 


15. 


" 


21. 


Jno Kilmartin, . . . . 


16. 


a 


22. 


Nic. H. Vedder, 


15. 


" 


23. 


Sybrant Vandebogart, . 


15. 


a 


24. 


Angus Mcintosh, 


14. 


i( 


25. 


Mrs. Geo. Fisher, . . . 


8. 


" 


26. 


Deacons, 




a 


27. 


Miss Arabella Fonda, . 


20. 


a 


28. 


Mrs. A. Lighthall, . 


22. 


« 


29. 


Thos. Pemberton, . 


24. 


" 


30. 




24. 


" 


31. 


. 


8. 


it, 


32. 




8. 


" 


33. 


Mrs. R. Perry, . . . . 


9. 


' 


34. 




9. 



30 



234 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Pew. 


Lessee. 


Price. 


No. 35. 





6. 


" 36. 


. 


8. 


" 37. 


A. 0, Peterson, 


20. 


" 38. 


Richard Marselis, .... 


8. 


" 39. 


Richard Marselis, .... 


12. 


" 40. 


Robt. Stevenson, .... 


20. 


" 41. 


Daniel Vedder, ..... 


20. 


" 42. 


Nicholas Cain, 


20. 


" 43. 


Geo. Shaible, 


19. 


" 44. 


Mrs. J. N. Barhydt, .... 


10. 


" 45. 


Charles N. Yates, ..... 


15. 


•' 46. 


Gershom Banker, .... 


14. 


" 47. 


Harriet Barringer, .... 


20. 


" 48. 


Charles E. Angel 


20. 


" 49. 


Joseph Horsfall, 


16. 


" 50. 


C. Van Slyck, 


15. 


" 51. 


H. T. Garret, 


16. 


" 52. 


B. Schermerhorn, .... 


16. 


" 53. 


Mrs. Otis Smith, . . . . . 


14. 


" 54. 


Wm. Clogston, .... 


16. 


" 55. 


Miss F. Hook, ... 


12. 


" 56. 


Win. H. Schermerhorn, 


15. 


" 57. 


J. L. Landon, ..... 


15. 


" 58. 


Miss Susan Veeder, 


15. 


" 59. 


Mrs. Tannahill and Max : Cox, 


15. 


" 60. 


Joseph Hai'mon, .... 


15. 


" 61. 




25. 


" 62. 


James Van Kuren, .... 


22. 


" 63. 


Spencer Ostrom and Jas: H. Lighthall, . 


22. 


" 64. 


Mrs. Nath : Clarke and Mrs. Giles 






Brower, 


25. 


" 65. 


Jacob N. Vedder, .... 


28. 


" 66. 


H. H. Swart and Peter Dorsch, 


30. 


" 67. 


T. W. Van Brunt, .... 


30. 


'^ 68. 


Jno. N. Vrooman, 


30. 


" 69. 


Jno. Frame and Thos : Cox, 


30. 


" 70. 


Wm. H. Helmer, 


30. 


" 71. 


Aaron Bariinger, .... 


30. 


" 72. 


Corn : S. Thomson, .... 


30. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



235 



Pew, 


Lessee. 


Price. 


No. 73. 


Peter B. Yates, .... 


30. 


" 74. 


Peter Holmes, 


30. 


" 75. 


Noah? Vibbard, 


30. 


" 76. 


The Pastor, . . , . 


30. 


" 77. 


Jiio. Consanl, .... 


34. 


" 78. 


Nichohis Swits, 


30. 


" 79. 


Caspar F. Hoag, 


30. 


" 80. 


Alex. J. Van Eps, . 


30. 


" 81. 


S. V. : Swits, .... 


30. 


" 82. 


Jno. G Van Voast, 


30. 


" 83. 


Albert Van Voast, 


30. 


" 84. 


David F. Reese, . 


25. 


" 85. 




10. 


" 86. 




. 10. 


" 87. 


Mrs. Fonda, Cady and Johnson, 


25. 


^' 88. 


Albert A. Vedder, 


. 30. 


" 89. 


Miss Deborah Graham, 


30. 


•' 90. 


Isaac Banker, 


30. 


" 91. 


Potter, .... 


30. 


•' 92. 


Jno. W. Veeder, . 


30. 


•' 93. 


Edward Rosa, .... 


30. 


" 94. 


N. Van Vranken, . 


. 34. 


" 95. 


Martin DeForeest, 


30. 


" 96. 


Simon C. Groot, 


. 30. 


" 97. 


Thos. B. Mitchell, 


30. 


" 98. 


Alex. M. Vedder, . 


. 30. 


" 99. 


Jno. B. Clute, .... 


30. 


" 100. 


Abram Doty, 


. 30 


" 101. 


Thos. H. Reeves, 


30. 


^' 102. 


Wm. Van Vranken, 


. ^ . 30. 


" 103. 


Jos. Y. Van de Bogart, 


30. 


" 104. 


Jno. McNee, .... 


. 30. 


" 105. 


Richd. V. Benson, 


30. 


" 106. 


Jacob F. Clute, 


28. 


" 107. 


Isaac Cain, .... 


25. 


" 108. 


C. C. Clute, .... 


22. 


" 109. 


Jno. G. Veeder, .... 


22. 


" 110. 


John Southard, 


25. 


" 111. 


Jno. Reaber and P. Frederick, 


15. 



236 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Pew. 


Lessee. 


Price. 


No. 112. 


Jno P. Becker, . 


15. 


" 113. 


Andrew Frame. 


15. 


" 114. 


F. Van de Bogart, 


15. 


" 115. 


Duncan McDonald, . 


15. 


" 116. 


D. M. Kittle, 


12. 


^' 117. 


W ilson Davis, . 


16. 


" 118. 


Jno. Van de Bogart, 


14. 


" 119. 


B. A. Mynderse, 


16. 


" 120. 


Wm. McKerlie, . 


16. 


" 121. 


Abraham Vrooman, . 


15. 


" 122. 


Catharine Swits, . 


20. 


" 123. 


Alex. Holland, . 


20. 


" 124. 


Nancy Vedder, . . . 


20. 


" 125. 


Henry Furraan, . , 


14. 


" 126. 


Jno. Van Antwerp, 


15. 


" ,127. 


G. L. Oothout, 


10. 


" 128. 


George Ohlen, 


19. 


" 129. 


Henry Rosa, 


20. 


" 130. 


Wm. Chrisler, . . 


20. 


" 131. 


Nicholas Yates, 


20. 


" 132. 


J. V. Vrooman, 


10. 


." 133. 


Elisabeth Veeder, 


8. 


" 184. 


Mrs. M. Myers, 


20. 


" 135. 


C.C. Clute, 


8. 


" 136. 


D. Ketcham, 


20. 


" 137. 


G. Westinghouse, 


20. 


" 138. 




20. 


" 139. 


Elders, . .'.*.' 




" 140. 


. 


. . 6. 


" 141. 




9. 


" 142. 


Jacob A. Wick, . 


9. 


" 143. 


S. A. Daggett, 


8. 


" 144. 




. 8. 


" 145. 




8. 


" 146. 


Charles Carr (?), , . * . 


15. 


" 147. 


E. Brinton, 


15. 


" 148. 


Edw. Groot, 


16. 


" 149. 


Mrs. J. K. Paige, . 


15. 


'• 150. 


Mrs. J. K. Paige, 


15. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



237 



Pew. 


Lessee. 


Price. 


No. 151. 


Mrs. Stuyvesant, 


12. 


" 152. 


Tayler Lewis, 


14. 


" 153. 


Miss Elisabeth Fuller, 


16. 


'• 154. 


Mary Tomlinson, 


18. 


" 155. 


Albert Ward, . 


30. 


" 156. 




38. 


" 157. 


Stephen Yates, . 


38. 


" 158. 


Robt. Furman, 


34. 


" 159. 


Pettingill and Kelsey, 


30. 


" 160. 


Nich : Van de Bogart, . 


30. 


" 161. 


A. Truax, 


28. 


" 162. 


Young & Graham, 


20. 


" 163. 


Mrs. J. C. Van Vranken, . 


12. 


" 164. 


0. S. LuflPman, 


11. 


" 165. 


Lewis I. Barhydt, 


11. 


" 166. 


Jane Timesen, 


10. 


" 167. 


M aria Van Slyck, 


8. 


" 168. 


Harmen Van Eps, 


8. 



APPENDIX E. 



Twenty-nine leases assigned to the Church December 30th, 
1141, by Jan Wemp and Arent Bratt, Patentees of Schenec- 
tady : 

" One Indenture from Karel Hanse Tol, Gerrit Van Brakelen, 
Aswerus Mai'selis, Caleb Beck and Company. 

One from Pieter Vrooman. 

do Laurens Claase [Vander Volgen]. 
do Jan Mabey, 

Also the following given by Col. Peter Schuyler, Johannes 
Sanderse Glen, Adam Vrooman, Geysbert Marselis and Com- 
pany : 



238 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 

One Indenture given by Benjamin Lanyen, 

Jacobus Peeck, 

Jan Danielse [Van Antwerpen], 

Jellis Fonda, 

Philip Schuyler, 

Abm. & Dirk CTroot, 

Abraham Wendell, 

Pieter Vrooman, 

Evert Van Eps, 

Hendrick Vrooman, 

Sander Philipse, 

Claas So Tjerk Franse [ Vander BogartJ, 

Arent Danielse [Van Antwerpen], 

Arent Vedder, 

Jan Danielse [Van Antwerpen], 

Gerrit Gysbertse [Van Brakelen], 

Dirk Bratt, 

John Lench, 

Jan baptist & Jellis Fonda, 

Johannes Mynderse, 

Jan Philipse, 

Samuel Bratt, 

Ahasuerus Marselis, 

Jan Vrooman, 

Karel Hansen [Toll]. 
We, hereunder written, do hereby Certify that we have re- 
ceived the above mentioned Indentures for the behoof of the 
Church Wardens pr us, 

Peter Groenendyck, 
Johannes A. Vedder, 
John Sanders, 
Gerrit A. Lansingh.'' 



Church quitrents, 25th May, 1750. 

26th May, 1750. 

" Gissinge van de lyst aengaande quit 't gene 
de Trustees op hunue zyde gestelt hebben, ende kkraad meent 
de kerke, toe te komen, van Art. Bratt gesond den 2Gth May, 
1750. Also my de men ate outbreeckt. 



HISTORY OF THE CHUHCH. 239 

Tarwe. Skiples. 

Cornells Van Slyck, 2f & 5 g. 

Hend : Fllpse nu Pr. Danielse, t. 

Van Pr. Vrooman erfgenamen, 4^. 

Johannes Peeck, 3 1-5. 

Jillls Van Vorst nu Gr. Van Vorst, 9^. 

N. B. — nu op hun Lyst 7 Schep, 

Jan Baptist Van Ebs, 5. 

Jonatan Stevens, 1717, 8. 

Corn : Groot, 6. 

N. B — mischlen maet dlt maer 3 zyn, 

Evert van Ebs, 1712, H- 

Gr. Gysbertse [Van Brakelen], 1717, 1^. 

Cornl. Sllngerland, 1718, 1^. 

Adam Vroom, 1719, l^. 

John Collins, nu d'erfgenamen V. andries van Sleyck, ^. 

Saml. Bratt, 1706, 5. 



[50.] 



Gelt. £. S, D. 

Johan : Van Antwerpeu, 0-09-0 

Gysbert Marselis Jr., 09 

Philip Livingston voor 't Landt van Dirk Groot. . . 10 

Pleter Brouwer & Broeders, 04-6 

Abrah : nu Gerrlt Lansing, 01 

1717, John Dumbar, 01 

Joh : Cloet & Myndert Wemp, 04 

Douwe Aukes, 0-00-6 

Albert Vedder, 1 

[£2-00-0.] 

Bart. Vrooman, -01 - 

Jan Wempel, -6 

Hendr : Vrooman, -3 

Henrlck Hansen, 1-00-0 

[£2-02-9.] 



240 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Plancken. 

Jan Werap, 10 

Job : Teller, 10 



[20.] 
Wegens de Tarw quit dient ouderrechtiuge omtrent eenige 

Schriften van de zo genoemde Slincksche Trustees door de 

andere te confirmeren en ons overgelevert. 

Uytgift tydt. Betaling tydt. Schep : 

1705-6. Tliomas Smit, - 1706-7, - - |. 

1706-7. Dirck Bratt, - - 1713. - - - 3-9. 
N. B. — dit is voor Rosendal niet wel geteykent 

maer echter van hem besetz Dog 1718 geset ap, - 1. 

Claes en Tjerk Fransen [Van de Bogart], - . 2. 

[4]. 
N. B. — dit is oock mit geteykent maar 't schynt 
gezet want het geteykt is van getnyge. — 
Jan Philipse, 
Henr. Vroonian, 
Jan Vrooman, 
\brah : Wendel, 
1707, Arent Danielse, - 

1707. JohnLench, 
Arent Vedder, 

1708. Benjamyn Lanine, - 

1709. Daniel janse, 
1705-6 Jacobus Peeck, 

5 jaar en dan, 
1708. Sander Pilipse £2 huur t- 
1705. 31 X ber Jan Danielse, - 
1708. Jan Danielse, 

1715-6. Arent Danielse, 

Dit is voor 't landt van Reyer Werap en heeft altyt in 't 
Boeck 23 gestaen en betalt gewest. Doch 1745 hebben Trusties 
geordonneert dat sint 3 scbep : Voor hun zoude zyn en maer 
20 * * * * de kerke enhebbensy die 3 nasich getrocken, 
en dus tegen 't schrift dan zeker de kk: jaarlycks 2 schep: te 
kort gedaen. 



1708, 


- 0-1 quad. 


1711, - 


1. 


1713, 


- 1. 


1713, - 


h 


1714, 


1. 


1713, - 


n- 


1713, 


- I 


1714, - 


5. 


1714, 


- 5. 


1706, - 


- 1. 
£1. 


720 en dan, - 


1705-6, 


1 skpiple 


1714, - 


1. 




- 22. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 241 

Fouten en 't gene Vergeten en onbekent is Uytgesondert. 

Ick onclergesz ; attesteren dese Copie accordei'en met syn 
orrigenal. P. Felinck. 

[Note. Forty-six leases in the above list yielded a yearly 
rent of 96 ski])les of wheat £3-2-9-in money and 20 boards.] 



APPENDIX F. 



ELDERS AND DEACONS. 



These officers by the charter of this Church must be eight 
in number — four elders and four deacons, each holding his office 
two years. The election is held on the first Saturday of Decem- 
ber in each year when two of each class are appointed and on 
New Year's day following ordained [btvestight] and inducted 
into office. 

From the founding of the church here to 1701, the number of 
elders and deacons was generally two each: After Domine 
Freerman came and to Domine Erichzons' ministry in 1728, the 
number was increased to three, and from the latter date to the 
present time the number has been four each. 

The following list is as full as the imperfect condition of the 
consistorial minutes will allow. — 

Deacons. Elders. 

1680. 

Hendrick Meese Vrooman, 

Jan Pootman. 



1683. 
Johannes Pootman, 
Sweer Teunise Van Velsen. 

1687. 
Johannes Sanders Glen. Myndert Wemp. 

1688. 
Claas Lourense Purmerent, Sweer TeuniseVan Velsen, 
[Vander Volgen], treasr. Reinier Schaets, 

ol 



242 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Deacons. 
Adam Vrooman, 
Isaac Swits. 

Adam Vrooman, treasi-. 
Isaac Swits, 
Barent Wemp, 
Willem Appel. 

Isaac Swits, treasr. 

Isaac Swits, treasr., 
Barent Wemp, 
Adam Vrooman. 



Elders 



Myndert Wemp. 



1689. 
Myndert Wemp, 
Frans Harmense Van de Bogart. 



1690. 

1691. 
Johannes Sanderse Glen. 



Barent Wemp, treasr., 
Adam Vrooman. 

Adam Vrooman, treasr.. 
Jacobus Peek. 



1692. 
Johannes Sanderse Glen, 
Isaac Swits. 
1693. 
Isaac Swits, 
Barent Wemp. 
1694. 
Johannes Hendrickse Vrooman, Johannes Sanderse Glen, 
Jacobus Peek, treasr., Barent Wemp. 

Adam Vrooman. 

1695. 
Arent Vedder, Claas Lourense Van der Volgen. 

Johannes Hendrickse Vrooman. J ohannes Sanderse Glen. 
1696. 

Jacobus Peek, 

Claas Laurense Van der Volgen. 
1697. 

Isaak Swits, 
Jacobus Peek. 
1698. 

Adam Vrooman, 
Isaak Swits. 
1699. 
Johannes Vrooman, Johannes Sanderse Glen, 

Abrm. Groot, treasr. Adam Vrooman. 



Dirk Arentse Bratt, 
Arent Vedder, treasr. 

Harmen Vedder, 

Dirk Arentse Bratt, treasr. 

Abraham Groot, 
Harmen Vedder, treasr. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



243 



Diaconen. 



Jacobus Van Dyck, treasr., 
Johannes Vrooman. 

Ryer Schermerhorn, 
Gerrit Symonse [Veeder], 
Jacobus Van Dyck. 



Ouderlmgen. 
1700. 

Jacobus Peek, 
Johannes Sanderse Glen. 
1701 * 

Adam Vrooman, 
Barent Wemp, 
Jacobus Peek. 
1702. 
Daniel Janse [Van Antwerpen], Isaac Swits, 
Ryer Schermerhorn, ) treasr ^•^''^'i^ Vrooman, 
Gerrit Symonse[Veeder]) Barent Wemp. 

1703. 
Nicolaas Van Petten, Nicolaas Van der Volgen, 

Johannes Glen, Johannes Vrooman, 

Dan'l Janse[Van Antwerpen] treasr Isaac Swits. 

1704. 
Johannes Teller, Ryer Schermerhorn, 

Nicolaas Van Petten,) , Nicolaas Vander Volajen, 



Johannes Glen. 

Gysbert V an Brakelen, 
Jan Wemp, 
Johannes Teller 

Johannes Teller, t 

Johannes Teller. 

Johannes Teller. 

Barent Wemp, 
Johannes Wemp, 
Johannes Teller. 

Johannes Teller. 



}"■' 



Johannes Vrooman. 
1705. 

Isaac Swits, 

Barent Wemp, 

Ryer Schermerhorn. 
1706. 

Ryer Schermerhorn. t 
1707. 

Ryer Schermerhorn. 
1708. 

Ryer Schermerhorn. 
1709. 

Ryer Schermerhorn, 

Gysbert Gerritse[VanBrakelen] 

1710. 

Ryer Schermerhorn. 



* After this date the number of Deacons and Elders was increased. 
t Johannes Teller and Ryer Schermerhorn managed the finances from 
to 1 7 13 : During this time there was no minister. 



[706 



244 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Diaconen. 

Johaunes Teller. 

Johannes Teller. 

Jan Wemp, 

Volkert Symonse [Veeder]. 

Volkert Symonse [Veeder], 
Symon Swits. 

Volkert Veeder, treasr. 
Symon Swits. 

Jan Dellamont, 

Symon Swits, 

Volkert Symonse [Veeder]. 

Jan Dellamont, 
Barent Vrooman^ 
Arent Bratt. 

Barent Vrooman, treasr. 
Arent Bratt, 
Albert Vedder. 

Johannes Teller, 

Volkert Symonse [Veeder], 

Harmen Vedder. 

Harmanus Vedder, treasr. 
Symon Vrooman, 

Nicolaas Schuyler, treasr. 

Dirk Groot, treasr. 



Ouderlingen. 
1711. 

Ryer Schermerhorn. 
1712. 

Ryer Schermerhorn. ' 
1713. 

Barent Wemp, 

Gerrit Symonse [Veeder] . 
1714. 

Gerrit Symonse [Veeder], 

Johannes Sanderse Glen. 
1715. 

Gerrit Sanderse [Veeder], 

Johannes Sanderse Glen. 
1716. 

Jacobus Van Dyck, 

Gerrit Symonse [Veeder], 

Johannes Sanderse Glen, 
1717. 

Jan Wemp, 

Abraham Groot, 

Jacobus Van Dyck. 
1718. 

Abraham Groot, 

Johannes Wemp, 

Johannes Vrooman. 
1720. 

Hendrick Vrooman, 

Arent Bratt, 

Jacobus Van Dyck. 
1721. 

Jacobus Van Dyck, 

Adam Vrooman, 
1722. * 

1723. 



From 1722 to 1728 Domine Brouwer was sick and unable to officiate. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



245 



Diaconeri. 

Arent Bratt. 

Arnout DeGraaf . 

Cornells Vander Volgen, 
Wilhelmus Veeder, 
Jacob Glen. 

Jacob Swits, 
Robert Yates. 

Robert Yates, treasr. 
Jan Barentse Wemp, 
Wouter Vrooman. 



C. Van der Volgen, 
Wouter Vrooman, 
Abraham DeGraaf, 
Jan Barentse Wemp, treasr. 

Sander Glen, 
Myudert Wympel, 
Cornells Van Dyck, treasr. 
Abraham DeGraaf. 

Sander Glen, 
Myndert Wympel, 
Abraham Truax, 
Sander Lansing. 

Sander Lansing, treasr. 
Abraham Truax, 
Abraham Glen, 
Arent Samuelse Bratt. 



Ouderlingen. 
1724. 

1725. 

1728. 

Arent Danielse [VanAntwerpen] 

Nicolaas Schuyler, 

Symon Vrooman. 
1729. 

Arent Bratt. 

1730. * 

Saml. Arentse Bratt, 

Jacobus Van Dyck, 

Dirk Groot, 

Cornells Vander Volgen. 
1731. 

S. Arentse Bratt^ 

Dirk Groot, 

Abraham Mebie, 

Harmanus Vedder. 
1732. 

Abraham Mebie, 

Harmanus Vedder, 

Arent Bratt, 

Jacob Glen. 
1733. 

Arent Bi-att, 

Harmanus Vedder, 

Gerrit Sy mouse [Veeder], 

Jan Barentse Wemp. 
1734. 

Symon Vrooman, 

Robert Yates, 

Jan Barentse Wemp, 

Gerrit Svmonse Veeder. 



* From this date the number of Deacons and Elders was four each. 



246 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Diaconen. 

Isaac Truax, treasr. 
Abraham Glen, 
Arent Samuelse Bratt. 

Hendrick Vrooman, Ji 
Andries Van Petten, 
Isaac Truex, 
Hendrick Brouwer, 

Hendrick Vrooman, 
Willem Teller, 
Hendrick Brouwer, 
Barent Wemp. 



Abraham Glen, 

Harmanus Van Antwerpen, 

Alexander Van Eps. 

Johannes Bratt, 
Hendrick Van Rensselaer, * 
Pieter Groenendyck, 
Alexander Van Eps, treasr. 

Pieter Groenendyck, 
Alexander Vedder, 
Johannes Bratt, treasr. 



Ouderlingen. 
1735. 

Simon Vrooman, 
Robert Yates. 

1736. 

Arent Danielse[Van Antwerpen] 

Nicolaas Schuyler, 

Abraham DeGroff, 

Helmer Veeder. 
1737. 

Abraham DeGraaf, 

Abraham Mebie, 

Wilhelmns Veeder, 

Arent Bratt. 
1738. 

Abraham Mebie, 

Sander Lansing, 

Jacob Glen. 
1739. 

Isaac Truax. 
1740, 

Arent Danielse[Van Antwerpen] 

C. Van Dyck. 

1741. 

Daniel DeGraaf, 

C. Van Dyck, 

— — - — - Vrooman, 

Arent Danielse[Van Antwerpen. 
1742. 

Jan Barentse Wemp, 

Abraham Mebie, 

Arent Danielse Van Antwerpen, 

Abraham Glen. 



* H. V. Rensselaer moved to Claverack and P. Groenendyck was chosen 
in his place in March, 1 741. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



D'mconen. Oude'i 

1743 
Nicolaas Groot, Simon Swits, 

Nicolaas Arentse Van Petien, Jacob Glen, 



Pieter Groenendyck, 
Alexander Vedder. 

Meindert Meindertse, 

Johannes Veder, 

Nicolaas Groot, 

Nicolaas Areutse Van Petten 

Andries Arentse Bratt, 
Albert Arentse Vedder, 
Myndert Myndertse, 
Johannes Veder. 

Cornells Van Slyck, 
John Sanders. 

Gerrit Lansing, 
Gerrit Van Antwerpen. 

Jacobus Van Slyck, 
Joseph Robertse Yates. 

Seth Vrooman, 
Jacobus Meinderts. 

Claas DeGraaf, 
Johannes Vischer. 

Isak Quakkenbos, 
Jan Baptist Van Eps. 

Simon Tol, 
Johannes Hall. 



Jan Barentse Wenip 
Abraham Mebie. 

1744. 

Isaack Truex, 
Jacob Vrooman, 
Simon Swits, 

. Jacob Glen. 

1745. 

. Alexander Lansing, 
Jacob Swits, 
Isaac Truex, 
Jacob Vrooman. 

1746. * 

Jacob Schermerhorn, 
Johannes Albertse V 

1747. 

Abraham Glen, 
Pieter Groenendyck. 

1748. 
Jan Barentse Wempl 
Nicolaas Groot. 

1749. 

Jacob Glen, 
Daniel DeGraaf. 

1750. 

Jacob Vrooman, 
Alexander Vedder. 

1751. 
Abraham Truex, 
Willem Teller. 

1752. 

Hendrick Brouwer, 
John Sanders. 



" The names following this date to 1826 are the newly electe 
Deacons for each year ; the full board consisted of these and tho 
preceding year. 



fk m. m 



<"*M„C4AAlV>f:; 



248 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Diacon en . Ouderlingen . 

1753. 
Elias Post, Gerrit Lansing, 

Johannes A. Van Antvverpen. Cornelis Van Slyck. 
1754. 



Tobyas Ten Eyck, 
Jellis Truax. 

Jacobus Van Eps, 
Willeni Schermerhorn. 

Abraham Yates, 
Pieter Truex. 

Reynier Meyndertse, 
Harmen Peek. 

Abraham Fonda, 
Takerius Van de Bogart. 



Isaac Vrooman, 
Isaac Marselis. 

Claes Van der Volgen, 
Jacob Fonda. 

Isaac I. Swits, 
Harmanns Bratt. 

Hendrick Van Dyck, 
Cornelis Van der Volgen. 

Abraham Wempel, 
Thomas Brouwer Bancker. 

Hendericus T. Veeder, 
Reuben Horsford. 

Caleb Beck, 

Maas Van Vranken. 



Abraham Mebie, 
Joseph Robt. Yates. 

1755. 

Jacob Glen, 
Jacobus Meynderts. 

1756. 

Simon Toll, 
Ni(^olaas Groot. 

1757. 

Willem Teller, 
Abraham Glen. 

1758. 

Alexander Vedder, 
Isaak Quakkenbosch, 
Seth Vrooman. 

1759. 

Gerrit A. Lansing, 
Claas Van Petten. 

1760. 
Albert Vedder, 
Johamies Sanders, 

1761. 

Reynier Mynderse, 
Tobias Ten Eyck. 

1762. 
Jacob Van Slyok, 
Joseph R. Yates. 

1763. 

Jacobus Mynderse, 
Nicolaas Groot. 

1764. 

Gerrit A. Lansing, 
Jan Bapt. Van Ei)s. 
1765. 

Flenderick Brouwer, 
Johannes Vischer. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



249 



Diaconen. 

Abraham Van Eps, 
Johannes J. Vrooman. 

Isaac I. Truax, 

Petrus Vander Volgen. 

Claas Veeder, 
Albert Mebie. 

Zeger Van Santvoord, 
Arent Vedder. 

Jacob S, Vrooman, 
Jacob Cloet. 

Johannes Cuyler, 
Jau Baptist Wendell. 

Cornells Vrooman, 
Andreas Truex. 

Adam Van Slyck, 
Jacobus Bratt. 

Simon Van Petten, 
Abraham Swits. 

Asuerus Marselis, 
Johannes Visger. 

Johannes Van Petten. 
Arent S. Vedder. 

Frederick Clute, 
Abraham Oothout. 

Jacobus Teller, 
Johannes Roseboom. 



Ouderlingen. 
1766. 

Johannes Sanders, 
Alexander Vedder. 
1767, 

Daniel DeGraaf, 

Takerius Vander Bogart. 
1768. 

Isaac Quakkeubosch, 

Tobias Ten Eyck. 
1769. 

John Baptist Van Eps, 

Joseph Yates. 
1770. 

Gerrit A. Lansing, 

Abraham Fonda. 
1771. 

Jacobus Van Slyck, 

Reynier Mynderse. 
1772. 

H armanus Bratt, 

Willem Schermerhorn. 
1773. 

Isaac Vrooman, 

Nicolaas Vander Volgen. 
1774. 

Nicolaas Van Petten, 

Caleb Beck. 
1775. 

Isaak Swits, 

Abraham Wemple, 
1776. 

Harmanns Peek, 

Jacob S. Vrooman. 
1777. 

Gerrit A. Lansing, 

Johannes Cuyler. 
1778. 

Arent Albertse Vedder, 

Johannes B. Van Eps. 

32 



250 



HISTORY OB^ THE CHURCH. 



Diaconen. 

Asuerus Marselis, 
Johannes Clement. 

Lancaster Connor. 
Myndert M. Wemple. 

John Wemple, 
Jesse PeGraaf. 

Daniel Cornu, 
Arent A. Vedder. 

Abraham Dellamont, 
Corn: Van Slyck. 

Abraham Dellamont, 
Cornells Van Slyck. 

Johannes Clute, 
Nicolaas Yates. 

Cornells Van Dyck, 
John Sanders. 

Johannes Peek, 
Frans Veeder. 

Johannes Myndertse, 
Johannes Erickson. 

Adam Vrooman, 
Johannes Post. 



Ouderlingea. 
1779. 

Daniel DeGraaf, 

Corn: Vander Volgen. 
1780. 

Tobias Ten Eyck, 

Claas Vedder. 
1781. 

Johannes Sanders, 

Willem Schermerhorn. 
1782. 

Claas Van der Volgen, 
Zeger Van Santvoord. 
1783. 

Johannes Cuyler, 

Jacobus Teller. 
1784. 

Johannes Cuyler, 

Jacobus Teller. * 
1785. 

Willem Schermerhorn. 

Johannes Roseboom. 
1786. 

Abrm. Oothout, 

Claas Veeder. 
1787. 

Joseph Yates, 

Jacob Fonda. 
1788. 

Nicolaas Van der Volgen, 

Jacobus Bratt. 
1789 

Claas Veeder, 

Cornells Van Dyck. 



* Nov. I Anno 1 784. — "Jacobus Teller een onser Medebroeders, wegens 
noodtsakelyke besighede sig op wegh naar D' Troit begeven hebbende is in 
het begin van dit najaar aan de Grand Rivier op het Lake Erie tot onse en 
des Gemeentensgrootedroefheitongelukkiglyke doorde Indianen Vermoort.' 

— Consistory Minutes. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



251 



Diaconen. 

•folin B. Vrooman, 
Johannes Toll. 

Claas Hall, 
Gerrit S. Veeder. 

Simon J. Van Antwerpen, 
Nicolaas Yeclder. 

Bernardus F. Schennerhorn 
Carel Hansen Toll. 

Maas Van Vranken, 
Gerrit Van Antwerpen. 

Corn: Van Santvoord, 
Johannes A. Vedder. 

Peter Van Guyseling, 
Harnien Wessels. 

Jellis Jac: Fonda, 
Corn : Uhristiaanse. 

John P. Truex, 
Jesse Peek. 

Hendrikus Yates, Jr., 
Volkert D. Oothout. 

John Jas : Yates, 

John Jac : Schermerhorn. 

Jacob Swits, 
Jellis A. Fonda. 

John N.-Marselis, 
Jacob S Schermerhorn. 



Ouderlingen. 
1790. 

Andries Truax, 
Cornells Vrooman. 
1791. 
Abraham Oothout, 
Thomas B. Bancker. 
1792. 

Abraham Swits, 
Frederick Clute. 
1793. 

Arent S. Veedei-, 
Johannes Van Petten. 
1794. 

Corn : Adn. Van Slyck, 
Jacobus Clute. 
1795. 

Claas Veeder, 
Lancaster Connor. 
1796. 

Nic: Van der Volgen, 
Johannes Peek. 
1797. 

' Abraham Oothout, 
Arent A. Vedder. 
1798. 

John S. Glen, 
Carel H. Toll. 
1799. 

Thomas B. Bancker, 
Gerrit S. Veeder. 
1800. 

Nicolaas Hall, 
Johannes Myndertse. 
1801. 

Claas Veeder, 
Jesse D. DeGraaf. 
1802. 

Abraham Oothout, 
Nicolaas Vedder. 



252 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Diaconeji. 

John N. Veeder, 
Josias Swart. 

Johannes F. Chite, 
Jeremiah Fuller. 

Abraham DeGraaf, 
Isaac J. DeGraaf. 

James V. S. Ryley, 
Joseph C. Yates. 

John Is. Peek, 
Peter F. Veeder. 

Joseph Peek, 
Peter C. Van Slyck. 

David Vander Heyden, 
Douwe Clute. 



Aaron Vroomau. 
David Pruyme. 

Gerrit Bensen, 
Jacob I. Clute. 

Aaron Van Antwerp, 
Jno. Baptist J. Van Ej)S. 

Isaac DeGraaf, 
Rudolph Van Husen. 



Ouderlingen. 
1803. 

Arent S. Veeder, 
Maas Van Vranken. 
1804. 

Francis Vender, 

John Sanders. 
1805. 

Corn : Vafi Santvoort, 

John Yates. 
1806. 

Jellis J. Fonda, 

Simon J. Van Antwerp. 
1807. 

Adam S. Vrooman, 

Jacob Swits. 
1808. 

Gerrit Van Antwerp, 

Maas Van Vranken. 
1809. 

John A. Vedder, 

John N. Marselis, 

John Veeder. * 
1810. 

John James Schermerhorn, 

James V. S. Ryley. 
1811. 

John I. Peek, 

Corn : C. Christiaanse. 
1812. 

Abraham Oothout, 

Gerrit S. Veeder. 
1813. 

Maas Van Vranken, 

Jacob Swits. 



chosen in place of John A. Vedder deceased. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



253 



Deacons. 

Cornelius Clute, 
Abraham Oothout, Jr. 



Maas Schermerhorn, 
John Quackenbos. 

Peter Brouwer, 
Zeger Van Santvoord. 

Alexander G. Fonda, 
Peter I. Clute. 

Cornells S. Groot, 
John S. Vroonian. 

Philip Van Voi-st, 
John H. Moyston. 

Adrian Van Santvoord, 
Daniel S. DeGraaf. 

Myndert Van der Volgen, 
John B. Clute. 

Oliver Ostrom, 
Jacob C. Consaul. 

Bartholomew Schermerhorn, 
Harmanus Van Housen. 

Albert Vedder, 
John H. Brooks. 



Elders, 
1814. 

Corn: Z. Van Santvoord, 
Jacob S. Schermerhorn, * 
Arent Vrooman, 
John J. Peek. 
1815. 

John N. Marselis. 
Jeremiah Fuller. 
1816. 

Abraham Oothout, 
Gerrit Bensen. 
1817. 

Rudolph Van Husen, 
Jacob I. Clute. 
1818. 

Maas Schermerhorn, 
James V. S. Ryley. 
1819. 

Maas Schei'merhorn, 
Cornells Clute. 
1820. 

David Vander Heyden, 
Abraham Oothout. 
1821. 

Maas Schermerhorn, 
Philip Van Vorst. 
1822. 
Corn : Z. Van Santvoord, 
Maas Van Vranken. 
1823. 

Myndert Van der Volgen, 
Cornelius S. Groot. 
1824. 

John N. Marselis, 
Gerrit S. Veeder. 



* Jacob S. Schermerhorn died and on January 29th, 1814, Arent Vrooman 
was chosen in his place ; the latter died and March 12th, 181 5, John J. Peek 
was appointed elder. 



254 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Deacons. 

John J. Vedder, 
Robert Moyston, 
Albert Vedder, 
John H. Brooks. 

Joseph Florsfall, 
Daniel S. DeGraaf, 
Jacob J. Vedder, 
Robert Moyston. 

Oliver Ostrom, 
Jacob DeForeest, Jr.. 
Joseph Ilorsfall, 
Daniel S. DeGraaf. 

Giles F. Yates, 
Wm. B. Scherraerhorn, 
Jacob DeForest, Jr., 
Oliver Ostrom. 

John G. Van Voast, 
John G. Veeder, 
Giles F. Yates, 
Wm. B. Schermerhorn. 

Daniel S. DeGraaf, 
Sebastian Vrooman, 
John G. Van Voast, 
John G. Veeder. 

Wm. Scherraerhorn, 
John I. Vedder, 
Daniel S. DeGraaf, 
Sebastian Vrooman. 



Elders. 
1825.* 

Bartholomew Schermerhorn, 

Jacob I. Clute, 

John N. Marselis, 

Gerrit S. Veeder. 
1826. 

Jacob Swits, 

James V. S. Ryley, 

Bartholomew Schermerhorn, 

Jacob J. Clute. 
1827. 

Myndei-t Vander Volgen, 

Gerrit Bensen, 

Jacob Swits, 

J ames V. S. Ryley. 
1828. 

Maas Schermerhorn, 

Jeremiah Fuller, 

Myndert Vander Volgen, 

Gerrit Bensen. 
1829. 

Peter I. Clute, 

Adrian Van Santvoord, 

Maas Schermerhorn, 

Jeremiah Fuller. 
1830. 

Rudolph Van Housen, 

Oliver Ostrom, 

Peter I Clute, 

Adrian Van Santvoord, 
1821. 

Jacob I. Clute, 

Alexander G. Fonda, 

Rudolph Van Housen, 

Oliver Ostrom. 



After this date all the members of the Consistory are named. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



255 



Deacons. 

Nicholas Van Vrauken, 
John P. Swits, 
Wm. Schermerhorn, 
John J, Vedder. 

Barent J. Mynderse, 
P^'rederic T. Tupper, 
Nicholas Van Vranken, 
John P. Swits. 

Nicholas Swits, 
Abraham G. Veeder, 
Barent J. Mynderse, 
Freder.c T. Tupper. 

Jacob M. Vedder, 
John Davis, 
Nicholas Swits, 
Abraham G. Veeder. 

James A. Van Vorst, 
John Holliday, 
Jacob M. Vedder, 
John Davis. 

Duncan McDonald, 
Daniel Nellis, 
James A. Van Vorst, 
John Holliday. 

John B. Schermerhorn, 
Jonas Holland, 
Duncan McDonald, 
Daniel Nellis. 

Nicholas Yates, 
Simon C Groot, 
John B. Schermerhorn, 
Jonas Holland. 



Elders 
1832. 

Gerrit Beusen, 
Joseph Horsfall, 
Jacob S. Clute, 
Alexander G. P^'onda 
1833. 
John B. Clute, 
Peter I. Clute, 
Gerrit Benson, 
Joseph Horsfall. 
1834. 

Wm. B. Schermerhorn, 
John G. Van Vorst, 
John B. Clute, 
Pf^ter I. Clute. 
1835. 

Joseph Horsfall, 
Peter Brouwer, 
Wm. B. Schermerhorn, 
John G. Van Voast. 
1836. 

James V. S. Ryley, 
Daniel S. DeGraaf, 
Joseph Horsfall, 
Peter Brouwer. 
1837. 
Nicholas Van Vranken, 
Barent J. Mynderse, 
James V. S. Ryley, 
Daniel S. DeGraaf. 
1838. 

Jacob I. Clute, 
John G. Van Voast, 
Nicholas Van Vranken, 
Barent J. Mynderse. 
1839. 

John B. Clute, 
John G. Veeder, 
Jacob I Clute, 
John G. Van Voast. 



256 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Deacons. 

Peter J. Wemple, 
Caspar F. Hoag. 
Nicholas Yates, 
Simon C. Groot. 

Thomas Houston, 
John McNee, 
Peter J . Wemple, 
Caspar F. Hoag. 

Francis Van de Bogart, 
Henry Ramsay, 
Thomas Houston, 
John McNee. 

Christopher Reagles, 
William Van Vranken, 
Francis Van de Bogart, 
Henry Ramsay. 

Bartliolomew Tymesen, 
George Wagner, Jr., 
Christopher Reagles, 
Wm. Van Vranken. 

John McNee, 
John Van Santvoord, 
Bartholomew Tymesen, 
George W^agner, Jr. 

B. Teller Schermerhorn, 
George Anderson, 
John McNee, 
John Van Santvoord. 

G. W. Winne, 
Otis Smith, 
B. T. Schermerhorn, 
George Anderson. 



Elders. 
1810. 

Adrian Van Santvoord, 

Oliver Ostrom, 

John B. Clute, 

John G. Veeder. 
1841. 

Cornelius S. Groot, 

Abraham Veeder, 

Adrian Van Santvoord, 

Oliver Ostrom. 
1842. 

Caspar C. Ham, 

John P. Swits, 

Cornelius S. Groot, 

Abraham Veeder. 
1843. 

Wm. B. Schermerhorn, 

Peter J. Wemple, 

Caspar C. Ham, 

John P. Swits. 
1844. 

Gerrit Bensen, 

Nicholas Yates, 

Wm. B. Schermerhorn, 

Peter J. Wemple. 
1845. 

John G. Van Voast, 

Caspar F. Hoag. 

Gerrit Bensen, 

Nicholas Yates. 
1846. 

Duncan McDonald, 

Nicholas Swits, 

John G. Van Voast, 

Caspar F. Hoag. 
1847. 

Peter I. Clute, 

Barent J. Mynderse, 

Duncan McDonald, 

Nicholas Swits. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



257 



Deacons. 

Charles A. Lee, 
James Van Kuren, 
G. W. Winnce, 
Otis Smith. 

Ernestus Putman, 
Alexander J. Van Eps, 
Charles A. Lee, 
James Van Kuren. 

John Erkson, 
Francis J. Van de Bogart, 
Ernestus Putman, 
Alexander J. Van Eps. 

Daniel Vedder, 

F. N. Wetmore, 

.1 ohn Erkson, 

Francis J. Van de Bogart. 

Frederic N. Clute, 
Jacob F. Clute, 
Daniel Vedder, 
F. N. Wetmore. 



Abraham Vrooman, 
Ernestus Putman, 
Frederic N. Clute, 
Jacob F. Clute. 

Charles S. Vedder, 
George S. Hardin, 
Abraham Vrooman, 
Ernestus Putman. 

Daniel Vedder, 
George Wagoner, 
Charles S. Vedder, 
George S. Hardin. 



Elders. 
1848. 

Adrian Van Santvoord, 
Simon C. Groot, 
Peter I. Clute, 

Barent J. Mynderse. 
1849. 

William Van Vranken 

Stephen H. Johnson, 

Adrian Van Santvoord, 

Simon C. Groot. 
1850. 

Peter J. Wemple, 

Nicholas Yates, 

William Van Vranken, 

Stephen H. Johnson. 
1851. 

Caspar C. Ham, 

Casper F. Hoag, 

Peter J. Wemple, 

Nicholas Yates. 
1852. 

Otis H. Smith, 

Abraham Veeder, 

Caspar C. Ham, (i-esigned). 

Casper F. Hoag, 

John G. Van Voast(vice Ham) 
1853. 

Christopher Reagles, 

Simon C. Groot, 

Otis Smith, 

Abraham Veeder. 
1854. 

Alexander G. Fonda, 

Gideon Moore, 

Christopher Reagles, 

Simon C. Groot. 
1855. 

Wm. B. Schermerhorn, 

Oliver Ostrom, 

Alexander G. Fonda, 

Gideon Moore. 

33 



258 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Deacons. 
Ira Van Pelt, 
Charles Yates, 
Daniel Vedder, 
George Wagoner. 

Chas. N. Y^ates. 
Ira Van Pelt, 
John McNee, 
Chas. S. Vedder. 

John McNee, 
C. S. Vedder, 
T. B. Mitchell, 
Daniel Vedder. 

Daniel Vedder, 
T. B. Mitchell, 
Aaron Barringer. 
Daniel M. Kittle, 

Aaron Barringer, 
Daniel M. Kittle. 
T. H. Reeves, 
H. Van Vechten Clute. 

T. H. Reeves, 
H. Van Vechten Clute, 
Abraham Vrooman, 
Chas. Yates. 

Abraham Vrooman, 
Chas. Yates, 

Joseph G. Van Debogert, 
Chas. E. Angle. 

Joseph G. Van Debogert, 
Chas. E. Angle, 
Abram. Doty, 
Jacob V. Vrooman. 



1856. 

Elders. 

Duncan McDonald, 

Bartho. Teller Schermerhorn, 

Wm. B. Schermerhorn, 

Oliver Ostrom. 
1857. 

B. T. Schermerhorn, 

Duncan McDonald, 

Nicholas Swits, 

Jacob T. Clute. 
1858. 

Nicholas Swits, 

Jacob T. Clute, 

Nicholas Van Vranken, 

John G. Van Voast. 
1859. 

Nicholas Van Vranken, 

John G. Van Voast, 

Casper F. Hoag, 

Ernest Putman. 
1860. 

Casper F. Hoag, 

Ernest Putman, 

Thos. B. Mitchell, 

Jacob T. Clute. 
1871. 

T. B. Mitchell, 

Jacob T. Clute, 

Simon C. Groot, 

Daniel Vedder. 
1862. 

Simon C. Groot, 

Daniel Vedder, 

Nicholas Swits, 

Casper F. Hoag. 
1863. 

Nicholas Swits, 

Casper F. Hoag, 

Ernestus Putman, 

Thos. B. Mitchell. 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



259 



Deacons. 

Abram Doty, 
Jacob V. Vrooman, 
T. H. Reeves, 
Nicholas Cain. 

T. H. Reeves, 
Nicliolas Cain, 
Martin DeForest, 
James H. Barhyte. 

Martin DeForest, 
James H. Barhyte, 
Benj. L. Conde, 
Daniel M. Kittle. 

Benj. L. Conde, 
Daniel M. Kittle, 
A. T. Veeder, 
J ohn W. Veeder. 

A. T. Veeder, 
John W. Veeder, 
Wm. Schermerhorn, 
Jacob V. Vrooman. 

Wm. K. Schermerhorn, 
Jacob V. Vrooman, 
Duncan Robinson, 
James H. Barhyte. 

Duncan Robinson, 
James H. Barhyte, 
John Westinghoune, 
Wm. \'an Dermore. 

John Westinghouse, 
Wm, Van Dermore, 
Abram. H. Van Vranken, 
Andrew T. Veeder. 



Elders. 



1864. 

Ernestus Putman, 
Thos. B. Mitchell, 
John G. Van Voast, 
Daniel Vedder. 
1865. 

John G. Van Voast, 
Daniel Vedder, 
Wm. Van Vranken, 
Casper F- Hoag. 
1866. 

Wm. Van Vranken, 
Casper F. Hoag, 
Thomas B. Mitchell, 
Abram. Vrooman. 
1867. 

Thos. B. Mitchell, 
Abram. Vrooman, 
Duncan McDonald, 
Abram. Doty. 
1868. 

Duncan M cDonald, 
Abram Doty. 
Jacob V. Clute, 
T. H. Reeves. 
1869. 

Jacob F. Clute, 
T. H. Reeves, 
Nicholas Cain. 
Casper F. Hoag. 
1870. 

Nicholas Cain, 
Casper F- Hoag, 
Thos. B. Mitchell, 
John Van Derveer. 
1871. 
Thos. B. Mitchell, 
John Van Derveer, 
John DcNee. 
Daniel Vedder. 



260 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. 



Deacons. 

Abram. H. Van Vranken, 
Andrew T. Veeder, 
E. Nott Schermerhorn, 
James Milraine. 

E. Nott Schermerhoi-n. 
James Milmine, 
Jonas H. Clute, 
Richard Marcelliis. 

Jonas H. Clute, 
Richard Marcelkis, 
Geo. H. Doty, 
Harmoii Consaul. 

Geo. H. Doty, 
Harmon Consaul, 
James H. Barhyte, 
John Westinghouse. 

James H. Barhyte, 
John Westinghouse, 
Albert Van Voast, 
Alex. Thompson. 

Albert Van Voast, 
Alex. Thompson, 
Harmon Consaul, 
C. E. Kingsberry. 

flarman Consaul, 
C. E. Kingsberry, 
Albert Van Voast, Jr., 
Andrew T. Veeder. 

Albert Van Voast, Jr., 
Andrew T. Veeder, 
Wm. Van Dermore, 
J. W. Clute. 

Wm. Van Dermore, 
J. W. Clute, 
Welton Stanford, 
Jonas Hallenbeck. 



Elders. 



1872. 

John McNee, 
Daniel Vedder, 
B. L. Conde, 
Daniel Kittle. 

1873. 

B. L. Conde, 
Daniel Kittle, 
Duncan Robinson, 
Abram Vrooman. 

1874. 

Duncan Robinson, 
Abram. Vrooman 
Duncan McDonald, 
Casper F. Hoag. 

1875. 

Duncan McDonald, 
Casper F. Hoag, 
T. H. Reeves, 
J. V. Vrooman. 

1876. 

T. H. Reeves, 
J. V. Vrooman, 
Jonas H. Clute, 
Daniel Vedder. 

1877. 

Jonas H. Clute, 
Daniel Vedder, 
Duncan Robinson, 
J. Westinghouse. 

1878. 

Duncan Robinson, 
J. Westinghouse, 
John Van Derveer, 
T. H. Reeves. 

1879. 

John Van Derveer, 
T. n. Reeves, 
Cornelius Lansing, 
J. V. Vrooman. 

1880. 

Cornelius Lansing, 
J. V. Vrooman, 
Wm. Van Vranken, 
John Westinghouse. 



INDEX. 261 



INDEX. 



Albany, 59, 67. 
Andros, Governor, 63, 64, 65. 
Antwerp, 37, 51. 
Archives. See Records. 
Banker screen, 19. 

Baptism, 8, 38, 41, 52, 80, 94, 194, 195. 
Barclay, Rev. Thomas, 39, 74, 85. 
Bell, 8, 41, 42, 52, 97. 
Beukendal. See Massacre of 1 748. 
Bibliography, 75, 80, 107, 137, 138, 139, 154. 
Bi-centennial celebration, 7. 
Bogardus, Rev. Cornelius, 48, 134, 135, 137. 
Bride's door, 7, 20, 155. 
Brouwer, Rev. Thomas, 39, 40, 86, 
Burying-grounds. See Cemeteries. 
Calls, text of, iu-113, 129-132. 
Charter, 98-105. 
Church money, 193. 

Cemeteries, 14, 15, 59, 40, 84, 167-171, 177. 
Classis, the First in America, 36. 
" of Amsterdam, 65, 66. 
" of Schenectady, 44, 45, 52, 55. 
Cock of St. Nicholas. See Vane. 
Coetus, 40, 79, 117. 
College. See Union College. 
'Committees, 6, 28, 39, 
Communion, 52. 
Consistorial minutes, 55. 
Corwin, Rev. E. T., 7, 35. 
Deacons, 102, 241-258. 
Dellius, Rev. Godfrey, 37, 68. 
Dimensions of 5th church edifice, 155. 
Dixon, Rev. Alexander, 143. 
Documents. See Records. 
Doolittle, Rev. T. S., 7, 
Dortrecht, 37, 43, 56. 
Dutch Language, 46. 

" Settlers, 31-34. 
Edifices— First, 7, 17, 35, 36, 62, 63, 171. 
" Second, 17, 39, 80-84, 146. 

" Third, 18, 20, 40, 41, 42, 48, 94, 96, 

Fourth, 18, 48, 146-148. 
" Fifth, 7, 50, 51, 152-157. 

Eenkluys, Hans Janse. See Poor Pasture. 



2G2 INDEX. 



Elders, 102, 241-258. 

Endowments, 170-179. 

English Language, preaching, 125-128, 46. 

Erichzon, Rev. Reinhart, 18, 40, 86-105. 

Finances, 179-193. 

Fire of 1861, 25, 42, 49, 50, 150. 

Flags; 8, 10. 46. 

Foot-stoves, 41, 95. 

Forefather's door, 7, 19. 

Freeman, Rev. Bernardus, 17, 37, 69-80, 85. 

Fmierals, 163. 

Great Consistory, 5, 10, 13. 

Griffis, Rev. Wm. Elliot, 10. 14, 52, 145. 

Holland. See Dutch, 32, 33. 

Hour-glass, 8, 13, 41, 52. 

Indians, (See also Mohawks,) 36; 37, 38, 39, 43, 48* 58, 74. 

Inscriptions, 7, 19, 20, 155, 156. 

Labadists, 35, 36. 

Lawrence, Rev. E. C, 10, 26. 

Leases 176, 237-241. 

Lewis, Taylor, 18. 

Leyden, 32, 36. 

Lists. See Elders, Deacons, Pews, etc. 

Lovelace, Governor, 59, 174. 

Lydius, Rev. Johannes. 73, 74, 85. 

Marriages, (See Statistics,) 8, 38, 52, 194. 

Massacre of 1690, 14, 17, 36, 37, 59, 67. 

Massacre of 1748, 21, 43. 

Meier, Rev. I. H., 37, 121. 123, 129- 134, 137. 

Memberships, 194, 195. 

Memorial Tablet, 12, 36. 

Memorial Exhibition, 16, 17, 18, 

Mill, and mill pasture, 175. 

Missionary v/ork, 37, 38, 39, 73. 

Mission Schools, 52, 145. 

Mohawks, 17, 33. 37, 73, 80. 

Mohawk River, 34, 67. 

Mohawk valley. Game, 34. Flowers, 19. Products, 20, 

Monument on State Street, 14, 15, 40, 84, 146, 177. 

Monuments, 169, 170. 

New Castle, 63, 64. 

New Netherlands, 55, 59. ' 

New Year's greeting, 22. 

Niskayuna, 44, 57. 

Niskayuna patent, 1 78 

Nott, Rev. Eliphalet, 49, 148. 

Palisades, 34, 34, 43, 57, 67. 

Papers. See Records. 



INDEX. 268 



Paper Currency, 193. 

Parsonages, 44, 35, 48, 62, 63, 150. 

Pastors. See names of, 9. 

Pearson, Prof. J., 35, 45- 

Pelican feeding her young, 8, 32. 

Pews, 41, 48, 94, 95, 199-237 

Pine trees, 34. 

Poor Pasture, 56, 59, 60, 172-174. I79. 183. 

Potter, Edward Tuckerman, 18, 50, I5a-I56, 159. 

Potter, Rev. Eliphalet Nott, 10. 

Princeton patent, 177. 

Pulpit, 8, 19, 4i> 93^ 

Records, 22, 42, 44, 45, 55. 

Romevn, Rev. Dirck, 9, 15, 36, 39, 40, 45, 46, 47, 51, 11 7- 128, 137. 

Sabbath School, 27, 52. 

Salaries, 76, 77, 87, 115, 119. 132, I34. 160, 162. 

Schaets, Rev. Gideon, 35, 37, 59, 60. 

Schenectady, 33, 34, 37, 57; 58. 67, 85. 

Schenectady Academy, 15, 47, 119. 

Scotch element in the church, 12. 

Seal, 42, 100. 

Seelye, Rev. Edward E.. 50, 140, 141, 159. _ 

Seelye, Rev. Julius, 23, 50, 139, 140. 

Sexton, Klokluyer, 161 -167. 

Sickles, Rev. Jacob, 46, 120, 129. 

Stanton, Rev. H. C, 22, 25. 

Statistics, 39, 43- 4+> 46, 48, 49- 52, 09. 83, 85, 86, 87, 95, 117, I35. 137- 

Stoves 41, 95, 96. '^'94, 195- 

Stuyvesant, Governor, 56. 

Symbolism, 8, 19. 

Subscription Lists— Third Edifice, 89-93. 

" " Fourth " 146 

Tablet, 12, 158, 159. 

Tassemaker, Rev. Petrus, 35, 36, fio, 63-69. 
Taylor, Rev. W. J. R., 10, 15, 15, 22, 49, 50, 13S, 139. 
Thesschenmaecker. See Tassemaker. 
Tortoise, the Mohawk totem, 8, 17, 33, 38. 
Union College, 15, 27, 45, 46, 47. 48, 49. 52, "9- 
Vander Volgen, Nicholas, 48, 148- 151. 
Vane, 41, 44, 51. 
Van Curler, Arent, 27, 33, 34, 57- 
Van Dervvart, Rev. Herman, 14. 
Van Santvoord, Rev. Cornelis, 12, 42, 43, 106, 107. 
Van Santvoord, Rev. Staats. 10, 12, 15, 16. 
Van Vechten, Rev. Jacob, 49, 155, 139. 
Vedder, Rev. Charles E., 10, 11. 
Vermilye, Rev. Ashbel G., 24, 51, 52, 144. 
Voetius, Prof., 35, 36. 



264 



INDEX. 



Voor-lezer, I2, 14, 35, 160, 161. 

Voor-zanger, 12, 14. 

Vrooman, Adam, 44, 109. 

Vrooman, Rev. Barent, 44, 51, 108, 109- 11 7. 

Wortman. Rev. Denis, 22, 51, 142-144. 

Yates, Rev. Andrew, 18, 49, 148. 

Yates, Governor, 47. 




COPIES OF WIS BOOK may be obtained at the 
book store of Mr. James H. Barhjte, No. Ill State 
street, Schenectady, N. Y. 

Also, "Manual of the Reformed Church in 
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edifice, showing the decorations of the Anniversary exer- 
cises of June 20th and 21st, may be had of Burgess and 
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An [ncfclopedia of ttie Refofmed Ctiufcli, 



EML or THE mm kh ih mm 

(Third Edition, 1879. pp. 676.) 
F,v Rkv. Emvxv.iy T. Coitwix, D. D., ^lillstoiio, N. J. 

Tlii.s volume is unique in denominational literature. It covers 
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Part first contains a General History of the rise and pro- 
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Part second treats of the ministry in particular. It is a 
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America, with the chief data of their lives, and about 300 
characterizations of the worthy dead. Lists of publications of 
authors are also given, and references to authorities. 

Part third treats of the churches in particular. It gives 
their names in alphabetical order, dates of organization, pastor- 
ates, with references to local histories. Complete chronological 
list of ministers and churches are also added in an Appendix. 
Eighteen beautiful steel portraits adorn the work. Twenty-two 
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a<biiirable article on Church Architecture, by Professor Doolittle, 
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